Dark Mode
US Postsecondary Education Costs Data
Education & Learning Analytics
Tags and Keywords
Trusted By
"No reviews yet"
Free
About
This dataset provides an overview of the average undergraduate college costs across the United States, broken down by state and institution type. It details tuition and fees, as well as room and board rates, for full-time students at degree-granting postsecondary institutions. The information is derived from the National Center of Education Statistics Annual Digest, specifically Table 330.20, offering valuable insights into the financial aspects of higher education in the US.
Columns
- Year: Indicates the year from the Annual Digest that this information pertains to, spanning from 2013 to 2021.
- State: Specifies the U.S. state for which the college cost data is provided, covering 51 unique states.
- Type: Describes the nature of the university, distinguishing between Private or Public institutions, and further classifying Public institutions by in-state or out-of-state tuition rates. Private colleges maintain consistent charges regardless of residency.
- Length: Clarifies whether the college primarily offers 2-year (Associate's) or 4-year (Bachelor's) degree programmes.
- Expense: Identifies the specific cost category being described, either Fees/Tuition or on-campus Room/Board expenses.
- Value: Represents the average cost in USD for the particular expense listed, with values ranging from $1,225 to approximately $49,200, and an average value of $13,000.
Distribution
The dataset is provided as a CSV file, named
nces330_20.csv, with a file size of 194.5 kB. It comprises 6 columns and contains 3,548 valid records across all fields, without any missing or mismatched entries.Usage
This dataset is ideal for:
- Cost Analysis: Analysing trends and variations in college costs across different states, institution types, and academic programmes.
- Financial Planning: Assisting prospective students and their families in budgeting and making informed decisions about higher education expenses.
- Research: Supporting academic studies on education economics, affordability, and access to higher education in the US.
- Policy Development: Informing policymakers and government bodies about the landscape of college costs to aid in the creation of funding and aid programmes.
Coverage
The dataset covers all 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, providing a broad geographic scope across the United States. The temporal coverage spans from 2013 to 2021, offering a consistent time series for analysis. Demographically, it includes full-time undergraduate students attending degree-granting postsecondary institutions, encompassing both 2-year and 4-year programmes, and distinguishing between public (in-state and out-of-state) and private institutions.
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
- Prospective Students and Parents: To compare college costs and plan for future education expenses.
- Educational Researchers: For studies on higher education finance, access, and equity.
- Financial Advisers: To guide clients on education savings and investment strategies.
- Government Agencies and Policy Makers: To assess educational funding needs and design effective financial aid programmes.
- Journalists and Media Professionals: For reporting on college affordability and related economic issues.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- US Higher Education Costs by State
- Undergraduate College Expenses USA
- State-by-State Tuition and Room/Board
- US Postsecondary Education Costs Data
Attributes
Original Data Source: US Postsecondary Education Costs Data
QUALITY