The cost of a college degree in the U.S continues to rise, with recent reports highlighting that American students are increasingly applying to overseas establishments across Europe, the UK and Asia, driven by surging domestic costs, campus unrest and political uncertainty.
And the cost of tuition is just the beginning. A new data study - The True Cost of Education - conducted by student platform Studocu, breaks down what students are really paying across tuition fees, housing, utilities, and study materials in all 50 states, and reveals just how wide the financial gap has become.
Key findings include:
- A degree can cost up to $562,868 once borrowing costs and lost income are factored in (EducationData.org estimate).
- Dorm life can cost up to 10x more than the cheapest off-campus options, with the most expensive campus (University of the Pacific, CA) charging $93,512/year versus $9,010/year at Fort Hays State University (KS).
- Cost of living varies by state- students in California or New York pay more than double what their peers pay in the Midwest and South.
- Books and materials cost an average of $1,224/year, spiking to nearly $10,000 at some universities.
- Utility costs range from $198/month in Utah to $358+ in New York and Washington, adding thousands of dollars annually.
- Despite the high costs, college still delivers a lifetime ROI of up to 682%, though returns vary according to major.
With college affordability dominating the 2025 student and policy conversation, this report provides clear, data-backed insights into how location, living choices, and field of study shape the true cost of higher education, and where students can save most.
The full release can be found below, with additional insights available here on the Studocu website: https://www.studocu.com/blog/en/cost-of-college-us-beyond-tuition-fees
Let me know what you think, or if you’d like any additional comments or insights from Studocu at all.
Many thanks,
Lauren.
The True Cost of College in the U.S. Revealed: Living Costs Push Degrees Beyond Tuition
- On-campus housing averages nearly $5,000 per month nationwide, with some institutions charging over $90,000 per academic year.
- Off-campus shared apartments can be as little as $460 per student per month, showing savings of tens of thousands of dollars compared to dorm living.
- Students in the most expensive states, such as Massachusetts and New York, face more than double the monthly living costs of students in the cheapest states, such as Utah and Nevada
A new analysis by Studocu has found that the full cost of attending college in the United States can climb far beyond tuition, with living expenses, utilities, and textbooks driving the total price of a degree to more than $562,000 in some cases.
The report, “The True Cost of College in the U.S. Beyond Tuition Fees”, draws on data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the U.S. Census Bureau, and state utility averages to examine how much students really pay. While average tuition across four-year institutions is $17,709 annually, the study shows that housing and everyday expenses can more than double that figure, making location one of the biggest factors in affordability.
In-state tuition at public four-year colleges averages around $9,750 per year, but out-of-state students face charges closer to $28,445. At private nonprofit colleges, the average is higher still, at roughly $38,421 annually. When borrowing costs and lost income while studying are factored in, the total cost of a bachelor’s degree can rise to as much as $562,868 in the worst cases, particularly for students without financial aid or scholarships.
Housing emerges as one of the most significant additional costs. On-campus accommodation averages close to $5,000 per month, with some universities charging more than $90,000 per academic year. By contrast, off-campus shared apartments can cost as little as $460 per student per month, representing a difference of tens of thousands of dollars across the course of a degree. Regional variation is striking: states such as California and New York rank among the most expensive for both housing and utilities, while states including Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia remain among the most affordable.
Utility bills also add a substantial burden. Students in Utah pay around $198 per month for electricity, water, and internet, while in New York, West Virginia, and Washington the same services can exceed $350 per month. Such disparities mean that a student’s choice of state can have a decisive impact on the affordability of their education, with over $150 per month in extra utility costs representing thousands of dollars over four years.
Textbooks and study materials are another expense, averaging $1,224 annually across U.S. institutions. While small compared to housing, these costs add up quickly and vary significantly by program. Students in engineering and science majors often face higher costs for lab manuals and technical texts, while in some institutions the yearly spend on books has been found to approach $10,000.
Across the United States, the average monthly cost of student living - combining one-bedroom rent, utilities, and study materials - is $1,367. Some states fall close to $1,000/month, while others exceed $2,000/month. These differences highlight how location can significantly affect affordability, with students in the most expensive states paying more than double those in the least expensive.
The tables below highlight the five most expensive and five most affordable states based on these combined averages, showing the scale of the regional divide.
Most Expensive States for Studying:
State | One-Bedroom Rent | Utilities | Study Materials | Avg Monthly Cost |
California | $1,798.03 | $299.68 | $100.52 | $2,198.23 |
Hawaii | $1,570.00 | $338.85 | $91.00 | $1,999.85 |
New Jersey | $1,480.13 | $294.45 | $118.39 | $1,892.96 |
Florida | $1,483.39 | $286.18 | $116.13 | $1,885.70 |
Washington | $1,388.71 | $325.04 | $84.71 | $1,798.47 |
Most Affordable States for Studying:
State | One-Bedroom Rent | Utilities | Study Materials | Avg Monthly Cost |
North Dakota | $698.38 | $223.52 | $82.38 | $1,004.27 |
Arkansas | $663.53 | $247.00 | $97.08 | $1,007.61 |
South Dakota | $688.33 | $215.32 | $106.94 | $1,010.60 |
Iowa | $702.50 | $227.77 | $93.17 | $1,023.44 |
Nebraska | $749.42 | $204.90 | $89.33 | $1,043.64 |
These findings illustrate that the affordability of higher education in the United States depends as much on geography as on tuition. A student in Massachusetts, for example, may face monthly living costs more than double those of a student in Utah, even before tuition is considered.
Despite these steep expenses, the study shows that higher education continues to deliver strong financial returns over a lifetime. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the wage gap between college and high school graduates has nearly doubled since 2002. Bachelor’s degree holders now earn an average of $804 more per week, equating to hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional lifetime earnings. In some cases, the lifetime return on investment of a bachelor’s degree is estimated at up to 682%. However, the report also notes that returns vary by field of study, with graduates in engineering, computer science, nursing, and economics seeing the strongest outcomes, while fields such as fine arts and education may produce smaller or even negative financial returns.
The analysis concludes that while tuition remains an important benchmark, the hidden costs of housing, utilities, and study materials often prove just as decisive in determining whether higher education is financially sustainable. These regional disparities underscore the importance of careful planning by prospective students and their families.
About Studocu
Studocu is a student-to-student knowledge exchange platform where students can share notes, study guides, and resources to save time, money, and stress while studying.
Studocu is a student-to-student knowledge exchange platform where students can share notes, study guides, and resources to save time, money, and stress while studying.
Methodology
The analysis used data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), U.S. Census Bureau, and state-level utility averages.
The analysis used data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), U.S. Census Bureau, and state-level utility averages.