A Census of College Costs

By Carolyn Sayre

A college diploma may be the most expensive piece of paper you ever buy--and it's getting pricier. The College Board last week reported that tuition and fees at public and private four-year colleges and universities this academic year are up about 6% from last year. Over the past five years, the average price has risen a parent-paralyzing 35%. But don't think it's not worth the expense: according to Census Bureau statistics published last week, a college graduate typically earns about $23,000 more a year than someone who has only finished high school. Many of the best college deals can still be found at public institutions. Here's a look at in-state rates around the country. o WASH. $5,617 o VT. $9,800 o UTAH $3,891 o TEXAS $5,940 o TENN. $4,974 o S.D. $4,940 o PA. $9,041 o ORE. $5,576 o OKLA. $4,246 o OHIO $9,357 o N.D. $5,509 o N.Y. $5,046 o N.M. $3,985 o NEV. $3,651 o NEB. $5,224 o MONT. $5,255 o MO. $6,531 o MISS. $4,455 o MINN. $7,495 o MICH. $7,661 o LA. $3,796 o KY. $5,758 o KANS. $5,149 o IOWA $5,900 o IND. $6,555 o ILL. $8,133 o IDAHO $4,159 o HAWAII $4,257 o GA. $3,913 o FLA. $3,336 o COLO. $4,646 o CALIF. $4,560 o ARK. $5,298 o ARIZ. $4,676 o ALASKA $4,195 o ALA. $4,915 o WYO $3,515 o WIS. $6,044 o S.C. $7,916 o N.C. $4,063 o MASS. $7,585 o N.H. $9,114 o MAINE $6,583 o R.I. $6,756 o N.J.$9,298 o CONN. $7,140 o DEL.$7,410 o MD. $7,241 o D.C. $3,210 o VA. $6,558 o W.VA. $4,152

HAWAII

The average tuition fee jumped higher in Hawaii than in any other state--up 22% from last year

FLORIDA

Due partly to the second-lowest prices in the U.S., 89% of college-bound students stay in state

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Despite recent major hikes, the average tuition of $3,210 is still the lowest in the nation

VIRGINIA

Average tuition is a middle-of-the-road $6,558. But a year at the highly rated University of Virginia costs $8,035

NEW YORK

Price tags at New York's public colleges rose less than 1%, the lowest in the U.S. The state also gave the most need-based grant aid ($1,300 per student) in '04-'05