These schools offer financial aid packages that cover 50% or more of the total cost of attendance.
Private College Tuition Is High—But Rarely Paid in Full
College has never been more expensive, especially at private institutions. The average sticker price for tuition alone at a four-year private college in the 2024–25 academic year was $43,350. That’s a 3.9% increase from the previous year, according to the College Board.
But here’s the good news: almost no students actually pay that amount. Thanks to factors like competition, prestige, and a desire for diversity, nearly all private colleges offer hefty tuition discounts through scholarships and grants.
What Students Actually Pay: The “Net Price”
In reality, students pay what’s called the net price—that’s the amount due after subtracting federal, state, and institutional grants (but not loans).
For 2024–25, the average net tuition at private colleges was $16,510. That’s a 62% discount from the list price. This does not include room, board, or other living expenses.
Total Cost of Attendance (COA) Still Matters
It’s important to look beyond tuition alone. The total cost of attendance (COA) includes:
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Tuition and fees
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Room and board
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Books and supplies
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Transportation
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Personal expenses
On average, the listed COA was $62,990, while the net COA—after scholarships—was $36,150. That’s a 43% discount, or about $26,840 saved per year.
Why Pricing Is So Confusing
Each student’s financial aid package is unique, which makes it difficult to predict actual costs. Colleges often require families to use a net price calculator, which factors in household income and other details. These tools provide a rough estimate, but they can be hard to use—especially for students unfamiliar with their family’s finances.
Alternatively, federal websites offer average net prices for each school. However, those figures are only helpful if you’re financially and academically similar to the “average” student.
