Cost of School
The cost of diffent schools varies widely from program to program. You should investigate the specific costs associated with the school you are choosing. There are direct and indirect costs to consider.
Tuition is a direct cost. If you choose to enroll at a public four-year college or university, the average tuition cost will be approximately $9,000 per year for tuition and fees. The price is usually less, approximately $7,000 per year if you attend a public college in your state of residence. Out-of-state residents who attend a public four-year college can expect to pay approximately $11,000 per year.
Private four-year colleges can be as expensive as $35,000 per year for tuition and fees. However, these schools can often offer more grant aid from their larger endowment funds, so wait until you see what your out-of-pocket cost will be after the institution figures your financial aid package.
The average annual cost for tuition at a two-year college is $2,500.
Although these published prices may seem high, the actual price that you pay may be considerably lower due to grants and other forms of financial aid that are available. Make sure to research all of your available options when it comes to financial aid.
When you are considering the cost of a school, there are other indirect expenses to consider besides the tuition price alone. Room and board costs are always billed in addition to the tuition fees. Some universities require students to live on-campus and use their housing and meal plans. Others offer off-campus status, which enables you to set your own housing and living costs. Think about where you will live and the prices associated with that type of housing.
Book fees are also in addition to tuition costs. In some cases books and materials for classes can cost up to $1,000 annually. One way to save on the price of books is to buy used textbooks.
Finally, you should consider what your personal expenses will be. Personal expenses are things like cell phone bill, laundry, entertainment, and travel expenses. An average amount to figure per year is $2,000 for these types of personal expenses.
Whatever option you choose, four-year public university, four-year private university, two-year college, or another type of English School, it is important to figure a budget to estimate the total price of your education so you can make realistic plans. Of course, financial aid, in the form of grants, scholarships and federal student loans, is also available to help meet the costs.
Last Updated: 03/06/2013