How Much Do I Need?

School is Expensive

Industry experts now calculate the total cost of attending a four-year university at between $50,000–$100,000 depending on the school.

And costs are on the rise. According to the College Board, a national nonprofit association, the average cost of a four-year public school rose 7.7 percent to $3,754. Likewise, the cost of private universities rose 5.5 percent to $17,123.

Not to mention these all-too-familiar items:

• Books that cost hundreds of bucks, reselling for $12 the semester after.
• College-town living options that get more expensive every year.
• The need for transportation.
• All those little things you never thought of.

Hang in there, though, it'll be worth the effort. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that people with a bachelor's degree typically earn more than 80 percent more money than people who merely graduated from high school. Eighty percent! It may be expensive, but it's a terrific investment.

To figure out how much you'll need, see the planning calculator.