For the 2019-2020 college year, the average annual cost of attendance (known as the COA) at a four-year public college for in-state students was $26,590, the average cost at a four-year college for out-of-state students was $42,970, and the average cost at a four-year private college was $53,980. The COA figure includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Many private colleges cost substantially more. (Source: The College Board’s 2019 Trends in College Pricing Report),
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