The Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree
Student protests and news about rising college fees may have you wondering how much a bachelor’s degree actually costs. When you see tuition in the five-to-six figure range, you may wonder if these numbers are accurate or exaggerations. As with many things, it depends.
Bachelor’s degree programs are offered at public and private non-profit colleges and universities as well as at private for-profit colleges. Depending on the type of school you attend, your costs could vary dramatically. In addition, you may pay more to attend an out-of-state school than if you stayed closer to home.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center features user-generated reports detailing national averages for different types of colleges. The latest data from these reports was generated using data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The 2015 lists are based on data collected during the 2013-14 IPEDS data collection cycle, the most recent data that have undergone the full NCES data review process and been publicly released via the IPEDS Data Center.
- Public, 4-year or above with Highest Tuition – $7,617 per year
- Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above with Highest Tuition – $24,269 per year
- Private for-profit, 4-year or above with Highest Tuition – $15,298 per year
http://collegecost.ed.gov/catc/default.aspx
Based on the above national averages, it’s reasonable to expect to pay about $60,000 more for a bachelor’s degree from a private, not-for-profit college.
However, costs vary dramatically from one college to another, even within the same category. For example, tuition at Florida’s Palm Beach State College, a public college, was less than $2,000 per year. In contrast, tuition at Pennsylvania State averaged $14,416 per year.
- See more at: http://www.degreesfinder.com/information-online-degree-programs/bachelors-degree-online/#sthash.z9KJN2ze.dpuf
Related Bachelor’s Degree Costs
Tuition is generally the biggest expense related to a bachelor’s degree, but others exist.
- Room and Board – Unless you choose an online bachelor’s degree program or attend a campus close to home, you’ll need to factor in boarding.
- Textbooks – According to CollegeBoard.com, the national average cost for college textbooks and supplies for 2011-2012 was $1,168.
- Transportation – Often overlooked, the cost of getting to and from campus adds up. If you commute, you’ll incur gas, parking and routine vehicle costs. If you attend school far from home, you’ll have local transportation needs as well as occasional long distance trips home each year.
Is the Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers age 25 and older by educational attainment, 2014 annual averages are as follows:
Less than a High School Diploma – $488 per week
High school graduates, no college – $668 per week
Some college or associate degree – $761 per week
Bachelor’s degree only – $1101 per week
Bachelor’s degree and higher – $1191 per week
Advanced degree – $1386 per week
Significantly higher earnings and job stability in an uncertain job market suggest that a bachelor’s degree is an investment that could pay big rewards.
- See more at: http://www.degreesfinder.com/information-online-degree-programs/bachelors-degree-online/#sthash.afvswmMI.dpuf
1. Which Colleges Have the Highest and Lowest Tuition and Net Prices. U.S. Department of Education College Affordability and Transparency Center
2. Break Down the Bill: College Expenses to Consider. College Board
3. BLS Spotlight on Statistics: Back to College. BLS.gov
