The Ultimate College Expenses Checklist for Future Students

College Expenses Checklist for Future Students

BIG Ideas:

  • Tuition and housing are the largest college expenses, but smaller student expenses can add up quickly if you don’t plan ahead.
  • Understanding all the expenses of college – from books to transportation – can help make financial planning easy.
  • Budgeting, applying for aid, and managing spending can make expenses in college more manageable

Your parents always told you to do your homework. That assignment, though, isn’t just for your schoolwork. It also applies to planning for the next exciting chapter in your life, college. You know that time in your life when you’ll learn what it’s like to live on your own, make lifelong friends, and develop skills that will help you build a solid career and brighter future?

But before any of that can happen, you must plan for an important aspect of college life, affording it. By now, you know that there are a lot of expenses in college. Topping that list are tuition, room, and board, which make up the bulk of the college expenses list. But there are other, smaller expenses for college that can really add up, especially if you are not prepared for them.

Let’s take a look at the college expenses list to help you better prepare. Knowing what to expect can help you avoid surprises and make smarter financial decisions before classes even begin.

Tuition. Tuition is by far the largest expense you’ll have in college. How much you’ll pay depends on the school, location, and whether it’s a public or private institution. Here are some average annual tuition and fees costs, according to the College Board’s 2025–26 Trends in College Pricing report:

  • Public four-year in-state: $11,950
  • Public four-year out-of-state: $31,880
  • Private, non-profit four-year: $45,000

After reviewing these expenses, it’s easy to see why tuition is the largest of student expenses. Of course, scholarships and grants, as well as any college savings you may have, can help offset these costs.

Housing and food. The college living expenses you incur depend on your living situation. You may, for example, live in a dorm and have a meal plan, or you could live in an apartment and have to buy groceries. Either way, those college living expenses can really add up – nearly $13,000 a year according to the Education Data Initiative, with a meal plan costing on average $570 a month.1,2

If you choose to live off campus and rent, you could end up paying the following, according to College Data:

  • $500 – $1,500 per month in rent (shared housing)
  • $50 – $100 a month in utilities
  • $200 – $400 per month in groceries

You may also be required to pay the first and last month’s rent upfront.

Books, supplies, and course materials. Other expenses in college that really add up include textbooks, supplies, and course materials. Costs for textbooks vary by school, field of study, and course load.

For example, STEM majors tend to have higher textbook costs because materials need to be updated frequently to reflect new technology and regulations. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average student spends $174 on new printed textbooks per year, and hard-copy books can cost as much as $400, with the average cost of a textbook between $100 and $150.3

  • Course materials, which can include subscriptions, workbooks, or software, can be up to $285 per year.3
  • You can reduce these expenses for college by buying used textbooks or renting them. You could also consider sharing books with a fellow student to reduce your costs.
  • Learn more about ways to reduce the cost of textbooks and other student expenses.

Then there are the technology and supplies you’ll need, including a laptop, printer, ink, calculators, and other tools. Also, certain majors, like art, may require you to purchase certain supplies.

Transportation. The amount you’ll spend on transportation and commuting depends on the school’s location. If, for example, your school is out of state and far away, you’ll have to factor in airfare to your student expenses. Also, if you plan to bring a car to school, your costs will increase even more. According to College Data, the annual cost of a car can range from $4,500 – $9,800. Those costs include:

  • Auto insurance
  • Gas
  • Maintenance
  • Parking permits
  • Registration and taxes

Even if you don’t have a car, you may still have transportation expenses for college, such as public transit, rideshares, and those all-important trips home.

Health Insurance. If you’re not covered on your parents’ medical insurance, you’ll be required to purchase insurance from the school. That doesn’t come cheaply, as the cost can range from $2,924 a year at public colleges and $3,874 a year at private schools, on average, according to USA Today.

Many colleges include healthcare costs in the tuition bill. If you have coverage under another plan, you may need to complete a waiver to get the health care cost removed. Health coverage is an important part of your college living expenses because unexpected medical bills can be costly without insurance.

Other expenses. College living expenses may also include personal expenses, which can add up, such as:

  • Haircuts
  • Entertainment
  • Dining out
  • Laundry
  • Subscription services
  • Mobile phone
  • Clothing

How to Manage Your College Expenses List

You can also reduce your expenses in college by taking advantage of student discounts, using campus resources, and planning purchases in advance. Little things like cooking instead of dining out or buying used books and supplies can make a big difference over time.

Brazos is Here to Help Make Expenses in College Affordable

For more than 40 years, Brazos Higher Education has helped make college more affordable for students and parents. As a Texas nonprofit, Brazos offers competitive rates designed to make meeting tuition and college living expenses easier. Contact us to learn more.

1Hanson, Melanie. “Average Cost of Room & Board at College” EducationData.org, 2024-12-05, https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-room-board-at-college

2Hanson, Melanie. “Average Cost of Food per Month for a College Student” EducationData.org, 2025-03-10, https://educationdata.org/average-monthly-food-spend-college-student

3Hanson, Melanie. “Average Cost of College Textbooks” EducationData.org, 2024-10-12, https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college-textbooks