What is the Price of College? Total, Net and Out-of-Pocket Prices by Type of Institution 2011-12

A new report from the National Center for Education Statistics adds detail and context to last year’s report on the price of undergraduate education at public two-year colleges, public four-year colleges, for-profit colleges and private and nonprofit four-year colleges. Using the new data from the 2011-2012 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, the report reveals that 84.4% of full-time undergraduates received some form of financial aid in 2011-2012, averaging $15,500 in aid per student across all types of institutions. The report illuminates the gap between institutions’ “sticker” prices (average total price of attendance) and what families and students actually pay after receiving financial aid (net price). The report also shows how net prices vary by type of institution and by family income.