Average estimated undergraduate student budget in the United States in academic year 2025/26, by expense category and institution type
(in U.S. dollars)
Characteristic
Tuition and fees
Room and board
Books and supplies
Transportation
Other expenses
Public two-year in district commuter
4,150
10,850
1,570
2,070
2,680
Public four-year in-state on-campus
11,950
13,900
1,330
1,380
2,430
Public four-year out-of-state on-campus
31,880
13,900
1,330
1,380
2,430
Private Nonprofit four-year on-campus
45,000
15,920
1,340
1,190
2,020
The chart is not accessible to screen readers. Please switch to the table view to access the data.
Expense categories are based on institutional budgets for students as reported by colleges and universities in the Annual Survey of Colleges. Other expense categories are the average amounts allotted in determining the total cost of attendance and do not necessarily reflect actual student expenditures.
Citation formats
Average undergraduate costs in the U.S. 2025/26, by expense and institution type
In a public two-year institution for commuters, the total undergraduate budget for the 2025/26 academic year in the United States was 21,320 U.S. dollars, including 4,150 U.S. dollars for tuition and fees. For private, nonprofit four-year institutions where students lived on campus, the total estimated budget clocked in at 65,470 U.S. dollars, making it the most expensive option for undergraduates.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
College Board. (November 7, 2025). Average estimated undergraduate student budget in the United States in academic year 2025/26, by expense category and institution type (in U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/236015/undergraduate-budgets-in-the-us-2011-12-by-expense-and-institution-type/
College Board. "Average estimated undergraduate student budget in the United States in academic year 2025/26, by expense category and institution type (in U.S. dollars)." Chart. November 7, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/236015/undergraduate-budgets-in-the-us-2011-12-by-expense-and-institution-type/
College Board. (2025). Average estimated undergraduate student budget in the United States in academic year 2025/26, by expense category and institution type (in U.S. dollars). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/236015/undergraduate-budgets-in-the-us-2011-12-by-expense-and-institution-type/
College Board. "Average Estimated Undergraduate Student Budget in The United States in Academic Year 2025/26, by Expense Category and Institution Type (in U.S. Dollars)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 7 Nov 2025, /statistics/236015/undergraduate-budgets-in-the-us-2011-12-by-expense-and-institution-type/
College Board, Average estimated undergraduate student budget in the United States in academic year 2025/26, by expense category and institution type (in U.S. dollars) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/236015/undergraduate-budgets-in-the-us-2011-12-by-expense-and-institution-type/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Average estimated undergraduate student budget in the United States in academic year 2025/26, by expense category and institution type (in U.S. dollars) [Graph], College Board, November 7, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/236015/undergraduate-budgets-in-the-us-2011-12-by-expense-and-institution-type/
