Education and Careers

What Does College Really Cost?

Everyone knows that college is expensive -- tuition costs alone can make your head spin. According to numbers from the College Board, most students and their families paid, on average, from $112 to $1,190 more in tuition and fees for the 2005-2006 school year than for the previous year, depending on the type of college.

But tuition isn't the only cost of attending college. There are the obvious costs, like room and board, which are also skyrocketing. There are other expenses that you may anticipate, like airfare for visits home, and some which you may not think of, like extra money for a semester abroad.

CollegeDirectoryNetwork.com, the largest online directory of post-secondary educational opportunities in the United States, is also a great resource for helping to budget for college expenses, especially in that first year, where everything is uncharted territory.

Here are some of the items listed in the Web site's cost calculators:

* Airfare or rental car for visits home
* Gas, insurance and repair costs if the student owns a car
* Moving expenses (renting a trailer if necessary)
* Books
* Lab and other fees
* Internet service or connections
* Telephone or cell phone
* Entertainment

If these numbers are starting to make you nervous, visit CollegeDirectoryNework.com for other valuable information, including tips on finding and applying for financial aid, and hints on how to save for college.

The Web site is also a valuable source of information on colleges throughout the United States. It is a great resource for high school students and their parents, as well as for non-traditional students, such as adults returning to pursue their degree.

Simply visit CollegeDirectoryNetwork.com, sign up for a free membership, and take advantage of the wealth of information you'll find there.

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