Most Expensive Colleges

Tuition climbed over $50,000 annually at the top 100 most expensive Universities in America. At $59,170, Sarah Lawrence college located in Bronxville, NY followed by New York University ($56,787) and Columbia University in New York City ($56,310) top the list as the most expensive Universities in the nation. 

The tuition prices have risen even faster than recent and significant increases in federal grants and education tax breaks, the College Board calculates. That means the net out-of-pocket costs of a year at college rose hundreds of dollars in 2011, while families struggled through a recession. 


Indirect Costs

These are the costs that don't show up on the college bill. They include books, supplies and travel, as well as personal expenses such as cell phone and pizza. If you live and eat off campus, room and board costs may be indirect costs. You can control indirect costs to some degree, by making smart spending choices.

Transportation

Transportation is a significant expense, whether you are commuting to campus or just occasionally returning home. If your college hasn’t supplied an estimated travel budget, make your own based on how you plan to go back and forth for holidays (bus, train, plane or car) and how often you plan to make the trip. Four-year public college students who live on campus spent an average of $1,082 on transportation in 2011-12.

Personal Expenses