| What is the average cost of college tuition? This is | | | | For the school year 2005-2006 many colleges |
| one question that most parents and future students | | | | dramatically raised tuition rates. An example of such |
| ask themselves and need to know in order to plan for | | | | tuition hikes is at the University of Colorado where |
| a college education. | | | | tuition rates have been raised for all of the system's |
| The national average college tuition rate for public | | | | campuses. Tuition at the Boulder campus will go up by |
| universities is $4,694 per year for in state residents. | | | | 27.8 percent, from $3,480 to $4,446. Other University |
| This figure includes both tuition rates and fees for a full | | | | of Colorado campuses will see a similar increase. |
| time student. | | | | And now the good news... |
| The average college tuition rate at private colleges and | | | | Even though college tuition rates increase, more |
| universities is around $20,000 per year in tuition and | | | | students than ever are benefiting from educational aid |
| fees. | | | | programs. According to a report from The College |
| Many students take advantage of the low tuition rates | | | | Board, "In 2003-04, the amount the average student |
| of two-year public colleges and junior colleges. The | | | | actually paid for a public four-year institution, after |
| average tuition for a two year school is only $2,076 | | | | receiving grant aid and education tax benefits, was |
| per year. | | | | about $1,300 per student." |
| College Tuition Increase | | | | Government grants such as the pell grant provide |
| While it is good to get an idea of the current cost of | | | | funding for many college students. In fact for students |
| tuition, it is also important to understand the expected | | | | who attend two-year colleges the grant award may |
| increase in tuition costs. Students who still have several | | | | cover the entire cost of tuition. |
| years before entering college and their families should | | | | Scholarship programs awarded by colleges, |
| be keenly aware of the projected estimates rather | | | | businesses and non profit organizations are available to |
| than the current costs so that they can plan | | | | help students defray the cost of college tuition. There |
| accordingly. | | | | are many college scholarship programs available and it |
| Tuition rates increase at about twice the general | | | | is becoming even easier to find these programs with |
| inflation rate. On average, tuition rates tend to increase | | | | the use of the internet. |
| about 8% per year. Some academic years see a | | | | With a combination of savings, financial aid, and |
| greater increase than others and many economic | | | | scholarships many students today are able to afford |
| factors come into play when a college decides to | | | | college tuition and further their education. |
| increase tuition. | | | | |