The cost of attendance (COA) is the total amount to attend a college each year. Each school determines its annual average COA using a formula established by Congress.

Remember: Your actual expenses will vary based on your lifestyle.

Some expenses depend on your choices:

• Public or private school
• In-state or out-of-state school
• Living on campus, off campus, or at home

Some expenses, such as the cost of textbooks, are similar regardless of which school you attend.

To find the COA of a college, visit the school’s website, look at its brochures, or use our School Search Tool.

View these samples for 2009-10:

• Two-year colleges: Average published tuition and fees at public are $2,544.
• In-state students at public four-year colleges and universities: Average published tuition and fees are $7,020.
• Out-of-state students at public four-year colleges and universities: Average published tuition and fees are $18,548.
• Private four-year colleges and universities: Average published tuition and fees are $26,273.
• For-profit institutions: Average published tuition and fees are $14,174.
  
  Source: College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2009

It's important to note that knowing the COA is only the first half of figuring out college costs. What really counts is how much you’ll pay out of pocket.

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