Just like with any big purchase, you want to make sure you’re getting the right product at the right price! And you want to make sure the store around the corner doesn’t have the same thing at a much lower rate. That’s why it’s good to have the average college tuition numbers in your back pocket.
This blog shares the average college tuition prices over the years and in each state.
Remember: Do your research to see what potential colleges offer, what you could earn in financial aid and scholarships, and how to negotiate what you receive!
Now let’s get started!
Average College Tuition over the Years
Here are the numbers of average annual tuition over the last ten years, broken down by 4-year institutions (both public and private) and 2-year institutions.
| Average tuition across all institutions | Average tuition across 4-year institutions | Average tuition across 2-year institutions | |
| 2008-09 | 17,045 | 20,361 | 8,219 |
| 2009-10 | 17,650 | 21,126 | 8,541 |
| 2010-11 | 18,475 | 22,074 | 8,868 |
| 2011-12 | 19,401 | 23,011 | 9,347 |
| 2012-13 | 20,233 | 23,871 | 9,573 |
| 2013-14 | 20,995 | 24,701 | 9,891 |
| 2014-15 | 21,729 | 25,409 | 10,153 |
| 2015-16 | 22,439 | 26,132 | 10,407 |
| 2016-17 | 23,091 | 26,592 | 10,597 |
| 2017-18 | 23,833 | 27,357 | 10,704 |
| 2018-19 | 24,623 | 28,123 | 11,389 |
In the last ten years, the average cost of tuition has increased significantly, from $17,045 in 2008 – 2009 to $24,623 in 2018 – 2019.
Average College Tuition by State
It’s also helpful to see the average yearly college tuition numbers for each state, including in-state and out-of-state tuition for public 4-year institutions, as well as tuition for private 4-year and public 2-year colleges for 2018-2019.
| Public 4-year | Private 4-year | Public 2-year | ||
| In-state tuition and fees | Out-of-state tuition and fees | Tuition and fees | In-state tuition and fees | |
|
United States |
$9,212 | $26,382 | $31,875 | $3,313 |
| Alabama | 10,138 | 25,782 | 16,119 | 4,770 |
| Alaska | 8,396 | 24,454 | 19,315 | † |
| Arizona | 10,666 | 26,383 | 12,711 | 2,161 |
| Arkansas | 8,391 | 20,825 | 23,179 | 3,291 |
| California | 8,118 | 31,423 | 35,524 | 1,271 |
| Colorado | 9,394 | 30,140 | 23,560 | 3,655 |
| Connecticut | 12,959 | 33,709 | 41,807 | 4,434 |
| Delaware | 10,607 | 30,405 | 14,758 | † |
| District of Columbia | 5,888 | 12,416 | 43,143 | † |
| Florida | 4,443 | 18,456 | 26,317 | 2,506 |
| Georgia | 7,319 | 22,751 | 28,839 | 2,916 |
| Hawaii | 9,952 | 31,581 | 17,098 | 3,140 |
| Idaho | 7,586 | 23,850 | 6,139 | 3,345 |
| Illinois | 14,259 | 28,522 | 33,454 | 3,966 |
| Indiana | 9,225 | 29,092 | 33,402 | 4,368 |
| Iowa | 9,966 | 24,521 | 33,821 | 5,137 |
| Kansas | 8,941 | 23,302 | 22,571 | 3,435 |
| Kentucky | 10,674 | 25,430 | 27,648 | 4,274 |
| Louisiana | 9,358 | 22,208 | 37,830 | 4,143 |
| Maine | 9,930 | 27,735 | 38,972 | 3,753 |
| Maryland | 9,521 | 26,883 | 43,141 | 4,225 |
| Massachusetts | 13,286 | 30,966 | 46,016 | 5,192 |
| Michigan | 12,888 | 35,844 | 27,936 | 3,582 |
| Minnesota | 11,381 | 22,780 | 33,212 | 5,389 |
| Mississippi | 8,340 | 19,942 | 17,953 | 3,262 |
| Missouri | 8,554 | 19,914 | 25,417 | 3,358 |
| Montana | 6,972 | 24,481 | 25,918 | 3,756 |
| Nebraska | 8,467 | 21,516 | 25,075 | 3,174 |
| Nevada | 5,845 | 21,125 | 24,423 | † |
| New Hampshire | 16,329 | 29,447 | 33,364 | 7,599 |
| New Jersey | 13,963 | 28,669 | 37,329 | 4,715 |
| New Mexico | 6,902 | 18,350 | 30,137 | 1,705 |
| New York | 8,184 | 22,083 | 40,527 | 5,367 |
| North Carolina | 7,174 | 22,968 | 33,990 | 2,504 |
| North Dakota | 8,091 | 15,565 | 15,206 | 4,895 |
| Ohio | 10,068 | 24,454 | 32,597 | 4,082 |
| Oklahoma | 7,866 | 21,526 | 27,694 | 4,112 |
| Oregon | 10,286 | 30,929 | 40,597 | 4,709 |
| Pennsylvania | 14,812 | 28,527 | 41,703 | 5,284 |
| Rhode Island | 12,576 | 29,998 | 42,108 | 4,564 |
| South Carolina | 13,013 | 32,174 | 25,621 | 4,728 |
| South Dakota | 8,772 | 12,465 | 23,252 | 6,170 |
| Tennessee | 9,789 | 26,068 | 28,080 | 4,287 |
| Texas | 8,678 | 25,031 | 34,476 | 2,259 |
| Utah | 6,731 | 21,557 | 7,852 | 3,843 |
| Vermont | 16,604 | 39,947 | 44,068 | 7,120 |
| Virginia | 13,413 | 34,890 | 23,380 | 5,241 |
| Washington | 7,036 | 29,228 | 38,754 | 4,169 |
| West Virginia | 8,016 | 21,996 | 12,513 | 4,276 |
| Wisconsin | 8,697 | 25,063 | 34,424 | 4,411 |
| Wyoming | 4,596 | 14,268 | † | 3,219 |
† No relevant data in these categories
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While it’s helpful to know what the average tuition cost is, it’s important to remember that with the average college tuition comes the average student debt of $28,950. It’s important to make it your goal to significantly lower your cost of college, especially your tuition costs.
The best way to accomplish this is with the Big Three: grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. Challenge yourself in high school, study hard, and work to pay well below the average college tuition! Best of luck!
Find the Perfect College at the Right Cost
College admissions can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. John Baylor and OnToCollege are here to help.
