What Really Makes College So Expensive

According to a report released by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, tuition isn’t necessarily the culprit behind increases in the overall cost of attending college. In fact, the pain in the pocket may be attributable to an increase in the cost of non-tuition expenses such as textbooks and housing.

While costs associated with attending a four-year college rose about $3000 per student since the 1999-2000 school year, the report found that only about $1000 of that may blamed on increased net tuition. Financial aid has contributed to keeping the increase in per student net prices to about $1000, as sticker prices (published rates of tuition) went up by about $3000.

“To the extent that students and their families are concerned about what costs they will need to pay to cover tuition charges, the relevant measure is ‘net tuition,’ which is the ‘sticker price’ less any grant aid students receive.”

The report also points out that four-year colleges have increased per student revenues over the past 10 years. In other words, persistent arguments that tuition increases are more than offset by increases in financial aid don’t necessarily hold water.

“At the four-year level, the significant increase in tuition revenue undermines the common argument that colleges are pursuing a high-tuition/high-aid model,” the report states.

If you’re really interested in why college is so expensive, here is a list of some of the pricier room and board plans found by US News & World Report and Cappex.

1. Howard University, DC
   Average room and board costs: $15,341
   
   
2. University of California-Berkeley, CA
   Average room and board costs: $15,317
   
   
3. The New School, NY
   Average room and board costs: $15,260
   
   
4. Dominican University of California
   Average room and board costs: $14,460
   
   
5. Suffolk University, MA
   Average room and board costs: $14,904
   
   
6. Ringling College of Art and Design, FL
   Average room and board costs: $14,840
   
   
7. Fordham University, NY
   Average room and board costs: $14,491
   
   
8. University of California-Santa Cruz, CA
   Average room and board costs: $14,171
   
   
9. Manhattanville College, NY
   Average room and board costs: $13,920
   
   
10. St. John’s University-New York
    Average room and board costs: $13,900
    
    
11. University of California-Los Angeles, CA
    Average room and board costs: $13,743
    
    
12. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, NY
    Average room and board costs $13,700
    
    
13. New York University, NY
    Average room and board costs: $13,510
    
    
14. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, MA
    Average room and board costs: $13,500
    
    
15. American University, DC
    Average room and board costs: $13,648