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NPSAS Price Estimates for Attending Postsecondary Education: First Look

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Betsy Prueter

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Using data from the 2011-2012 National Postsecondary Study Aid Study (NPSAS:12), the National Center for Education Statistics has released a report on the price of college for undergraduate students during the 2011-12 academic year. The report looks at three price measures – price of attendance/sticker price (all costs without consideration of student aid), net price (price of attendance minus grant aid), and net “out-of-pocket” price (price of attendance minus all financial aid, e.g., grants, loans, work study).

Among the report’s findings:

Among all undergraduate students at 4-year public institutions in 2011-2012:

  • The average price of attendance/sticker price was $17,900.
  • The average net price was $14,300.
  • The average out-of-pocket net price was $9,600.

Among all undergraduate students at 4-year private, non-profit institutions in 2011-2012:

  • The average price of attendance/sticker price was $34,400.
  • The average net price was $23,000.
  • The average out-of-pocket net price was $15,000.

Among all undergraduate students at 4-year private, for-profit institutions in 2011-2012:

  • The average price of attendance/sticker price was $19,400.
  • The average net price was $16,600.
  • The average out-of-pocket net price was $9,000.

Among all undergraduate students at 2-year public institutions in 2011-2012:

  • The average price of attendance/sticker price was $8,700.
  • The average net price was $7,100.
  • The average out-of-pocket net price was $6,000.

Among all undergraduate students at 2-year private for-profit institutions in 2011-2012:

  • The average price of attendance/sticker price was $21,100.
  • The average net price was $18,600.
  • The average out-of-pocket net price was $12,400.

The report also provides price of attendance/sticker price, net price, and net “out-of-pocket” price data broken down by dependent student versus independent student status and for income quartiles. 

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Betsy Prueter

Senior Research and Program Manager, Postsecondary National Policy Institute

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NPSAS Price Estimates for Attending Postsecondary Education: First Look

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