College Costs in Context: A State-by-State Look at College (Un)affordability

The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) recently released an issue brief analyzing the net price of college as a share of a student’s family income. According to the brief’s findings there are great inequities in the affordability of public colleges within and across states.

The most unrealistic financial expectations are faced by students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly students of color. On average, the share of total income required to pay net price for students whose families earn $30,000 or less per year equals 77 percent for four-year institutions and 50 percent for community colleges.

This analysis provides a breakdown of net price of public four-year and two-year colleges for each state as a share of total and discretionary income by household earnings. It also includes data on the net price of college by income and the number of work hours required to pay the net price. The brief concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen affordability for students and their families.

To read the full issue brief, please see TICAS’ website.