While it is really difficult to give an exact number for the yearly total cost of studying in America, the average cost among all public universities is roughly $27,000, while a full year at a private college will cost students about $50,000. Now, these are averages and those numbers can really go up and down depending on the school, location and of course on the scholarship that you receive. So don’t worry, chances are that as a student athlete you will not be paying that much to come to college in the United States.
Your cheapest colleges and universities are typically your junior colleges, which are universities that you attend for your first two years of college. These typically cost between $12,000 and $25,000 per year, depending on the location. Junior colleges in California or on the East Coast will be closer to that $25,000 number, while schools in rural areas and in the middle of the country will usually cost $15,000 or less.
When it comes to 4-year universities, there is a big difference in cost between public and private schools. Location is a very important factor as well, and so is the academic reputation of a school. That is why when it comes to 4-year institutions, the price per year can vary a lot. While there are some universities that will cost about $20,000 per year, your top academic institutions on the East and West Coast nowadays cost all the way up to $90,000 per year, with Amherst College currently being the most expensive school with a yearly price of $91,000. Now, one thing to always keep in mind is that in the United States, everything is always included in the total cost, which is not always the case in other countries where students typically have to pay for their own housing and food. Depending on where you go to university, that cost can be rather substantial, so it is definitely something to always factor into your decision.
As mentioned above, all these numbers do not really mean much if you receive a solid scholarship, either academically or through your sport. These scholarships can range anywhere from 10% to a full scholarship, and in some cases they can even include pocket money in form a monthly check that you receive for personal expenses. So as you can see, the costs can really vary a lot, depending on what kind of school and location you are looking for. And of course, the amount of scholarship that a coach offers you is also crucial and can really reduce the cost for you and your family!