Tuition fees are usually the highest cost of attending college. Especially if you are an out of state student, tuition fees can range from $11,400 for in-state students to $26,000+ for out of state students. For example, Columbia University tuition is, on average, $60,000.
As well as tuition fees, there are many other fees due during a student’s time of study.
Student Life Fee
The student life fee varies by university. It is an added fee and covers a multitude of things.
Around half of this fee goes to the Dean of Students’ offices and goes back to the students in terms of training and support, pastoral care, and support services.
A small portion goes towards student activities and support – including campus security and services and a recreational fee for campus sports and recreation.
Orientation Fee
Not all colleges charge this fee. It is usually a one-off fee paid at the beginning of your undergraduate career and goes towards orientation activities and extra support for first-year students.
Dining Fee
For those students staying on campus, a dining fee is either built into the room and board fee or is added as an extra. The Dining Fee can also be paid by those living off-campus so that they can eat with their peers. The dining fee goes towards food and beverages, staff, utilities, and facilities for dining services.
House or room fee
Campus residence is popular among students, especially first-year students and new undergraduates. Campus housing allows students to get to know each other and to live independently in a safe environment. House or room fees are rent paid to the college for the student to live on campus. It pays for shared dorm rooms on campus, near to teaching buildings. The dorm rooms are all together on floors or in buildings and are looked after.
Document Fee
A document fee is a one-off fee that is paid to the college and pays for any documents required (international students have an additional international fee to pay). Documents include transcripts, diploma certificates, and degree certificates, the documents fee pays for the printing and mailing of documents.
What outside costs are there?
Studying costs – textbooks, supplies, and electronics make up a large number of outside costs – around $1500 a year, including books, stationery, backpacks, and paper.
It would be a rare student that spends the whole of their college life studying. Outside costs are those not paid to the college as a direct study fee. Outside costs include things like pizza delivery, a bar trip, a night out at the bowling alley; these trips can cause extra travel costs – bus/taxi/tram. All of the outside costs can add up to around $5000 per year.
Other outside costs can include insurance. Students should be keeping up health insurance payments, as well as possessions insurance. If the student takes part in college sports or trips, they may need extra insurance to cover themselves. This needs to be discussed with an insurance broker.
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