College Board Releases New College Cost Figures

On October 28, 2010, the College Board released college cost figures for the 2010/2011 academic year in its annual Trends in College Pricing report.

Here are a few highlight from the reports:

Four-year public colleges (in-state students):

Tuition and fees increased an average of 7.9% to $7,605
Room and board increased an average of 4.6% to $8,535
Total average cost* for 2010/2011: $20,339

Four-year public colleges (out-of-state students):

Tuition and fees increased an average of 6.0% to $19,595
Room and board increased an average of 4.6% to $8,535
Total average cost* for 2010/2011: $32,329

Four-year private colleges:

Tuition and fees increased an average of 4.5% to $27,293
Room and board increased an average of 3.9% to $9,700
Total average cost* for 2009/2010: $40,476
*"Total average cost" includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs.

The report also notes the estimated average amount of grant aid and federal education tax benefits that full-time college students received for the 2010/2011 year: $6,100 for students attending public colleges and $16,000 for students at private colleges.