Factors Affecting the Costs of College

College acceptance letters and financial aid award packages usually arrive in the early spring every year. Parents and their high-school seniors carefully scrutinize each line in the process of trying to make the final choice.

Before making a final decision, try to get a handle on the following factors that can affect your student.

Beyond Student Loans

While a lot has been said about determining the net cost of attending a college, there are a few additional costs to take into consideration. You initially want to determine tuition and other costs to attend each selected college and then subtract the amount of “free” money available in grants and school scholarships.

Looking at the number of student loans that you or your child will be required to take out will help determine a net out-of-pocket cost. But there is one more column you should add to your spreadsheet to help determine the actual cost of attending a particular school. These are the costs that might not be so obvious, but they can add thousands of dollars in expenses to your family’s budget.

Cost of Living

Unless the school is totally isolated, the student will be living in an area that will require certain expenses. Students want to have a well-rounded college experience, but off-campus forays can put a huge dent in the budget.

In 2022, Best College Reviews ranked the 50 best college towns in the U.S. Not surprisingly, colleges in smaller towns like Corvallis, Oregon, and State College, Pennsylvania, came up highest on the list.

Another advantage of “college towns” is that local businesses often cater to the college community with student discounts, while colleges in major metropolitan areas may not be so focused on students.

Job Potential

If you are expecting the student to hold a part-time job off-campus during the school year, do a quick check to determine how many jobs are actually available. Smaller towns might not have the range that a city can offer.

Some schools offer work-study programs for eligible students with financial need. The money earned can be put toward their education. As many of these jobs are on-campus, they can help ensure a balance between working and studying. When choosing a college, look into the availability of work-study programs if you could benefit from having some additional cash.

Transportation

This doesn’t just refer to the cost of getting the student to and from campus —although that definitely should be taken into consideration. This refers to the transportation needs that the student will have once their parents leave for home.

Is the college a closed campus that is easily walkable, or will the student be in a city where a daily commute is necessary? If they live off campus, how will they get to campus? Any costs for a vehicle the student has on campus should be taken into consideration as well.

Housing

Many colleges—though not all—require first-year students to live on campus. If that's the case for the college you're considering, it may be more expensive than renting an apartment, for example. However, students who live in campus dorms often receive a meal plan rolled into the cost of housing, which can cut down on food expenses.

If the student will not be living in campus dorms, this element could add a whole new dimension to the out-of-pocket budget. Research apartment costs near campus, find out about public transportation options and do a little more research into the local economy to put together a budget for food and household items.

Choosing a college can be a fun experience, but it can also be intimidating trying to make the right choice. Just keep in mind that the more information you have before making a decision, the better your decisions will be for you or your college student.