Average Published Tuition and Fees Were $11,950 at Public Four-Year Schools in 2025–26
The Fact
The College Board reports average published tuition and fees for 2025–26 of $11,950 at public four-year institutions (in-state), $4,150 at public two-year colleges, and $45,000 at private nonprofit four-year institutions.
What This Means
These are sticker prices before grants or scholarships, and they do not include housing, food, or books.
Why It Matters
Community college remains far cheaper — about a third of a public university's tuition.
Sources
College Board. Trends in College Pricing: Highlights, 2025. https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing/highlights