Private colleges list far higher tuition costs than what it actually costs to attend

Listed tuition costs have drastically risen in the past 15 years, but the actual cost to attend, after financial aid, is significantly lower

Public

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

Avg. cost:

$27,330

Listed price

+20

30%

cheaper

than listed

+10

$19,230

Actual avg. cost

of attendance

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

Private non-profit

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

$55,800

Listed price

+20

41%

cheaper

than listed

+10

$32,720

Actual avg. cost

of attendance

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

Public

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

Avg. cost:

$27,330

Listed price

+20

30%

cheaper

than listed

+10

Actual average

cost of attendance

$19,230

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

Private non-profit

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

$55,800

Listed price

+20

41%

cheaper

than listed

+10

Actual average

cost of attendance

$32,720

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

Public

Private non-profit

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

Avg. cost:

$27,330

$55,800

Listed price

+20

30%

cheaper

than listed

41%

cheaper

than listed

+10

$19,230

Actual average

cost of attendance

$32,720

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

2006-

07

2021-

22

Public

Private non-profit

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

Avg. cost:

$27,330

$55,800

Listed price

+20

30%

cheaper

than listed

41%

cheaper

than listed

+10

$19,230

Actual average

cost of attendance

$32,720

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

2006-

07

2021-

22

Public

Private non-profit

+30% increase since 2006-07 school year

Avg. cost:

$27,330

$55,800

Listed price

+20

30%

cheaper

than listed

41%

cheaper

than listed

+10

$19,230

Actual average

cost of attendance

$32,720

0

2006-

07

2021-

22

2006-

07

2021-

22

Guardian graphic. Sources: College Board Annual Survey of Colleges, NCES, IPEDS Student Financial Aid data. Note: Costs include tuition, fees, and room and board.