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What can you get for your money?

By Brendan Conway updated on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Sometimes, it can help to get a little perspective on the relative costs of college education. A college education ain't cheap, and looking at some figures on the differing costs of college degrees can help you get a good read on what paying for a college education might mean for you.

And if nothing else, figure out how much money you'll need to save to buy a 20-foot long animatronic triceratops.

Yeah. You heard me.


Private Colleges and Universities
National Average for 4-year degree $21,324

Harvard College $52,652
Yearly tuition, room, board, and fees

Sarah Lawrence College $56,282
Yearly tuition, room, insurance, and fees

University of Pennsylvania $57,360
Yearly tuition, fees, housing, meals, books,
and personal costs

Princeton University $55,850
Yearly tuition, room, board, and miscellaneous
expenses

Yale College $55,850
Yearly tuition, room, board, books, and personal
expenses


Public Colleges and Universities
National Average for 4-year degree      $6,397

National Average for 2-year degree $2,527

University of Pittsburgh Titusville $20,860
Yearly tuition, room, board, and fees

College of William and Mary $12,412
Yearly tution, room, board, books, travel, incidentals,
and fees

Ohio State University $19,926
Yearly tuition, room, board, and fees


Community Colleges
Fox College $16,247
Yearly tuition, fees, books, and supplies

Ozarka College $16,105
Yearly tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies,
and expenses

Los Angeles City College                  $16,815
Yearly tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies,
and expenses


Who really needs a college degree, though?
Fully Functional Tron Light Cycle $55,000

20 Foot Animatronic Triceratops $350,000

Lifetime Supply of Twinkies $27,375
Assuming you eat 3 twinkies a day for the next
50 years

A Hawaiian Vacation $4,750
Two week trip, flight and hotel included

Lady Gaga's Meat Dress $100,000

Diamond-clad Hello Kitty Doll $167,000


All facts and figures concerning tuition are sourced to the individual websites of the colleges and universities. Facts and figures concerning Hammacher Schlemmer products come from the Hammacher Schlemmer website. Facts and figures concerning national average figures come from the US Department of Education.
About the Author
Brendan Conway

Brendan Conway is the web content editor for Peterson's Interactive and is a knowledgeable source of information on the world of higher education. He is a graduate of Hamilton College who majored in philosophy and creative writing (he clearly did not consult Peterson's advice on college strategies nearly enough). Today, he enjoys writing articles for Peterson's that are helpful, informative, and perhaps a bit...eccentric.

More articles by this author

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