A new study has revealed the most affordable colleges.
The research, conducted by the university ranking site Research.com, examined the total cost of attending each university including the average tuition, fees, housing, meals, and educational materials.
The colleges were then ranked, with the most affordable in the top position, to give prospective students a more complete understanding of the actual costs they can expect to incur during their college education.
The most affordable college is the University of Florida, where students can expect to spend an average total of $18,941 each academic year. The average cost of tuition and fees per year for the University of Florida is $6,381, while average room and board charges total $11,500. When it comes to books and supplies, students can expect to spend around $1,060 each year.
The second most affordable college is the University of South Florida, with an average total yearly cost of $19,551. Books and supplies and tuition and fees are cheaper here than at the University of Florida, costing an average of $770 and $5,498 respectively. However, room and board are more expensive, with students paying an average of $13,283 each year.
In third place is Purdue University, where the average total yearly costs add up to $21,182. Based in Indiana, students at Purdue University can expect to pay an average of $10,030 for room and board each year, and $1,160 for books and supplies. Tuition at this college costs an average of $9,992 for each academic year.
Ranking fourth is Florida State University, which costs an average of $21,233 to attend each year. Tuition and fees are cheaper at this university than at Purdue University, at an average of $7,493 each year, although room and board are more expensive, at approximately $12,740. Students spend an average of $1,000 on books and supplies per year.
In fifth place is the University of Central Florida, with average yearly costs of $21,586. The fourth Floridian entry in this top ten listing, students can expect to spend an average of $8,258 on yearly tuition and fees. Room and board costs average out to $12,328, and books and supplies cost an average of $1,000 each year.
The University of New Mexico is the sixth most affordable college, with an average yearly cost of $22,278 for students. The average cost of tuition and fees for this university is $10,298, while room and board will set students back an average of $10,650 per year, with a year’s supply of books and other materials costing an average of $1,330
Following on in seventh place is the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, where students will pay an average of $22,583 per year. The average yearly cost of books and supplies is less than many others on this top ten list at $800. However, the average annual tuition and fees of $9,595 and average room and board charges of $12,188 pushed this college down in the rankings.
Next up is the University of Kansas, which will cost prospective students an average of $22,844 to attend each year. This includes average tuition and fees of $11,370 for the academic year (the most expensive tuition in this top ten listing), an average of $10,250 for room and board, and $1,224 for a year’s worth of books and supplies.
The penultimate entry on this list is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with an average total yearly cost of $23,304 for students. Those attending this university will spend an average of $1,290 on books and supplies each year, and an average of $13,016 on room and board. Tuition and fees will set students back an average of $8,998 per year.
Finally, rounding off the top ten most affordable colleges is the University of Georgia, with an average cost of $23,428 each year. Books and supplies cost an average of $1,002 for the academic year, while room and board for the year costs an average of $11,246 and average tuition and fees come to $11,180.
Top 10 most affordable colleges
| Rank | College | Location | Tuition and Fees | Room and Board Charges | Books and Supplies | Total |
| 1 | University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida | $6,381 | $11,500 | $1,060 | $18,941 |
| 2 | University of South Florida | Tampa, Florida | $5,498 | $13,283 | $770 | $19,551 |
| 3 | Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana | $9,992 | $10,030 | $1,160 | $21,182 |
| 4 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, Florida | $7,493 | $12,740 | $1,000 | $21,233 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida | $8,258 | $12,328 | $1,000 | $21,586 |
| 6 | University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, New Mexico | $10,298 | $10,650 | $1,330 | $22,278 |
| 7 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | Norman, Oklahoma | $9,595 | $12,188 | $800 | $22,583 |
| 8 | University of Kansas | Lawrence, Kansas | $11,370 | $10,250 | $1,224 | $22,844 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | $8,998 | $13,016 | $1,290 | $23,304 |
| 10 | University of Georgia | Athens, Georgia | $11,180 | $11,246 | $1,002 | $23,428 |
Commenting on this study, professor Imed Bouchrika, a chief data scientist managing the rankings for Research.com, said,
“Understanding the true cost of higher education is essential for students and their families as they plan for the future. It’s interesting to see which universities offer a more affordable path to a degree, helping prospective students make informed financial decisions.
“With tuition fees and living expenses varying significantly across institutions, having a clear picture of the total cost of attendance can make a real difference. We hope this research serves as a valuable resource for those looking to pursue higher education without unnecessary financial strain.”