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diploma and piggy bank with coins and dollars usa flag behind (cost of tuition)
The United States is the world’s top destination for studies and likewise, has the highest cost of attendance. The cost of attendance is an estimation of the expenses students will incur while attending college or university. These expenses range from tuition to housing, and vary from state to state to degree type to kind of school. So, what exactly is the price tag for higher education in the U.S.?

Average Cost of Tuition in U.S.A

The U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) released a report of the cost for full-time students attending a 4-year program from the 2015-16 school year.

Per their data, the average price for an in-state public institution in the U.S. is $8,778, the average out-of-state public institution is $24,354, and the average for a private institution is $27,951.

Average Cost of Public In-State Tuition by State

The three most expensive in-state tuition is in Vermont ($15,062), followed by New Hampshire and Pennsylvania ($14,986 and $13,516, respectively).

The least expensive are Wyoming ($4,178), Florida ($4,438), and the District of Columbia ($5,251).

With that, the biggest percent increase of tuition from the previous year goes to Louisiana (11.87%), second is Alaska (8.24%) and third is West Virginia (7.07%). The average increase from the previous year across the entire country is 2.74%.

Map of U.S with Average Cost of Public In-State Postsecondary Institutions
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Average Cost of Public Out-of-State Tuition by State

The most expensive out-of-state schools hail from Vermont ($36,475), Michigan ($34,863), and Connecticut ($32,870).

The least expensive location is D.C. ($11,233), followed by South Dakota and Wyoming ($11,592 and $12,770, respectively).

Map of U.S with Average Cost of Public Out-of-State Postsecondary Institutions
Click to enlarge map

Average Cost of Private Tuition by State

Massachusetts is the most expensive state with a whopping $40,761 price tag. After that, is Vermont ($39,518), followed by D.C. ($38,901).

The state with the least expensive private tuition is Idaho ($6,006), then Utah ($7.571) and finally, West Virginia ($11,721).

The highest percent increase from the previous occurred in New Mexico (9.33%), Nevada (8.67%), and California (7.78%).

Map of U.S with Average Cost of Private Postsecondary Institutions
Click to enlarge map