Research notes (University System of Georgia. Office of Strategic Research and Analysis), April 2009

Research Notes
University System of Georgia Board of Regents -- Office of Research and Policy Analysis
University System of Georgia Cost of Attendance, AY2007 to AY2008
Background on Cost of Attendance
Although the public view of the costs of attending college is usually focused on tuition and fees, these costs are generally only about one-fifth to one-fourth of total costs. Data collected on the cost of attending college are thus critical for a variety of reasons, especially for a student's college financial planning. In addition, some financial aid grantors determine the amount of a loan or grant based on the total cost of attendance (including books, housing, transportation, etc.). This research note examines the total cost of attendance for one year at University System of Georgia institutions. Cost data were collected through the National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) for Academic Year (AY) 2007-08, and IPEDS data on the cost of attendance (COA) were reported by each institution. Costs include tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and required personal expenses, such as insurance, medical care, or minimal transportation costs.1
The tuition reported to IPEDS is the average tuition charged at the institution for one year. The formula used to calculate cost of attendance for USG students includes costs for students on the guaranteed tuition plan and those without guaranteed tuition. The tuition reported to IPEDS is the average of tuition for students with the Fixed-for-Four in Fall 2006, Fixed-for-Four for Fall 2007, and the 2007 rate for juniors and seniors who were not on the guaranteed rate. For example, the full-time tuition rate for in-state students at regional and state universities in Fall 2007 was $1,345; for those who entered in Fall 2006 it was $1,280; and for those who entered prior to FY2007 it was $1,434. The average tuition, therefore, was $1,353 for full-time, in-state undergraduate students
Cost information is collected for both on-campus and off-campus students. The off-campus room and board expenses are estimated by the institutions based on guidelines issued by IPEDS. These estimated costs for off-campus room and board are for students living independently (not with family).
On-Campus Costs for In-State Students
Figure 1 provides the percent distribution for the cost of attendance for an in-state, on-campus student. Tuition and fees account for 22 percent of the total cost; room and board costs are 47 percent of the total; and the remaining 23 percent of costs are other expenses, books and supplies.
1 Most financial aid estimates budget students for two round-trips home each year using the lowest-cost means of travel. For commuter students, minimal transportation costs are also built into the financial aid calculations of need.
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Figure 1
USG Average Annual In-State, On-Campus Cost Distribution, AY 2007-08

On-Campus Other Expenses
23%
On-Campus Room and
Board 47%

In-State Tuition and Fees
22%
Books and Supplies
8%

Table 1 compares the average cost of attendance by sector for an on-campus student to attend a USG institution in academic year 2007-08 and 2006-07. The average cost rose 8.6 percent in AY08. One should note that only one of the nine two-year colleges and three of six state colleges offer on-campus residency. Therefore, the cost of attendance reported for these sectors reflects only a small percentage of the institutions in the access sector.

Table 1. In-State, On-Campus, Average Cost of Attendance by Sector

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

Academic Year 2007-08 $17,170 $16,110 $14,717 $11,451 $11,478 $14,579

Academic Year 2006-07
$15,940 $14,523 $13,801 $10,355 $8,427 $13,427

Difference $1,230 $1,587 $916 $1,096 $3,051 $1,152

% Change
7.7 10.9 6.6 10.6 36.2
8.6

Off-Campus Costs (Not Living with Family) for In-State Students
Figure 2 below shows the percent distribution for the cost of attendance for an in-state, offcampus student, not living with family. Tuition and fees account for 21 percent of the total cost,
April 2009 Page 2 of 11

while room and board accounts for 48 percent of the total. Thus, the distribution of costs is almost identical for students living on and off campus.
Figure 2
USG Average In-State, Off-Campus, Not Living with Family Cost Distribution, AY 2007-2008

Off-Campus Other Expenses
24%
Off-Campus Room and Board
48%

In-State Tuition and Fees
21%
Books and Supplies
7%

The USG average increase in the cost of attendance for these students was just over 4 percent, with the regional universities increasing 9 percent. As Table 2 shows, in 2007-08 the average total cost for an in-state student to attend a research university while living off-campus independently was $18,641, an increase of $598 over the previous year. It cost the same student $14,942 at a regional university, $16,327 at a state university, $12,292 at a state college, and $12,182 at a two-year college. Percent change for regional universities should be interpreted with caution since it is based on a single institution.

Table 2. In-State, Off-Campus Not Living with Family, Average Cost of Attendance by Sector

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

Academic Year 2007-
08 $18,641 $14,942 $16,327 $12,292 $12,182 $14,468

Academic Year 2006-
07 $18,043 $13,712 $15,740 $11,900 $11,604 $13,888

Difference $598
$1,230 $587 $392 $578 $580

% Change
3.3 9.0 3.7 3.3 5.0 4.2

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Costs for Out-of-State Students

Tuition and fees for out-of-state students attending a USG institution is, on average, about three and one-half times greater than it is for Georgia residents (see Table 3). In FY2008, the University System average for in-state tuition and fees was $3,131, as compared to $10,985 for nonresidents.

Table 3. Comparison of Tuition and Fees by Residency, FY2008

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

In-State Tuition and
Fees $5,470 $4,060 $3,691 $2,154 $1,987 $3,131

Out-of-State Tuition and
Fees $20,466 $12,932 $12,620 $7,722 $7,204 $10,985

As expected, tuition and fees account for a much larger percentage of costs: 50 percent for outof-state students in comparison with 22 percent for in-state students (see Figure 3).
Figure 3
USG Average Out-of-State, On-Campus Cost Distribution, AY 2007-2008

On-Campus Other Expenses
15%

On-Campus Room and
Board 30%

Books and Supplies
5%

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
50%

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As Figure 4 shows, the distribution of costs for out-of-state, off-campus students is almost identical to that of out-of-state, on-campus students.
Figure 4
USG Average Out-of-State, Off-Campus Not Living with Family
Cost Distribution, AY 2007-2008

Off-Campus Other Expenses
15%

Off-Campus Room and
Board 31%

Books and Supplies
5%

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
49%

Table 4 shows that for out-of-state students living on campus and attending a research university in 2007-08, average total costs were $32,166, a 10 percent increase over the previous year. The corresponding costs for the other sectors were: regional universities $24,982; state universities $23,674; state colleges $17,067; and two-year colleges $16,718. Institutions without on-campus housing did not report data in this category. Consequently, only one of nine two-year colleges and three of six state colleges reported these on-campus costs.

Table 4. Out-of-State, On-Campus Average Cost of Attendance by Sector

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

Academic Year 07-08
$32,166 $24,982 $23,674 $17,067 $16,718 $23,736

Academic Year 06-07
$29,307 $22,205 $21,814 $15,155 $13,235 $21,562

Difference $2,859 $2,777 $1,860 $1,912 $3,483 $2,174

% Change
9.8 12.5 8.5 12.6 26.3 10.1

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Table 5 shows the percent change for out-of-state, off-campus students between academic year 2006-07 and 2007-08. The sector with the largest change was regional universities with an 11.3 percent increase.

Table 5. Out-of-State, Off-Campus Students, Not Living with Family, Average Cost of Attendance by Sector

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

Academic Year 07-08
$33,582 $23,814 $22,703 $17,836 $17,399 $22,012

Academic Year 06-07
$31,555 $21,394 $21,280 $16,697 $16,412 $19,743

Difference $2,027 $2,420 $1,423 $1,139 $987 $2,269

% Change
6.4 11.3
6.7 6.8 6.0 11.5

Other On-Campus Costs

The above analyses have included the aggregate costs of college attendance: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other personal expenses. Tuition rates are set by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia according to residency status. All other college-related expenses set by the institutions are determined by choice, the availability of options, such as housing, and circumstances particular to an institution.

Table 6 displays the reported costs of room and board and institutions' estimated costs of books and supplies. Books and supplies can differ by course and programs of study. For example, students studying science and engineering often experience higher prices for textbooks than students in the liberal arts. Research universities require the greatest spending on room and board and books and supplies with a total average of $9,132. The costs of the others sectors were regional universities at $8,025, state universities at $7,702, state college at $6,664, and twoyear colleges at $6,408.

Table 6. On-Campus Room and Board and Books and Supplies Average Costs by Sector
AY 2007-08

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

Room and Board
$7,685 $6,925 $6,613 $5,673 $5,400 $6,604

Books and Supplies $1,447 $1,100 $1,089
$991 $1,008 $1,082

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Other expenses, illustrated in Table 7, are estimated by the institution and can include transportation and entertainment. The majority of two-year institutions did not report a figure for on-campus costs because many do not have students who live on campus.

Table 7. Other Expenses by Sector of Campus Residence, AY 2007-08

Sector Research Universities Regional Universities State Universities State Colleges Two-Year Colleges USG Average

On-Campus Other
Expenses $2,569 $4,025 $3,392 $2,612 $3,204 $3,214

Off-Campus Other
Expenses $2,703 $2,800 $3,972 $3,247 $3,101 $3,437

Additional details on the costs of college attendance at USG institutions are contained in the appendix.
For additional information, contact Mr. Chris Ferland, Research Analyst Lead
Office of Research and Policy Analysis University System of Georgia 270 Washington St., SW Atlanta, GA 30334 Chris.Ferland@usg.edu

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Appendix

Annual In-State, On-Campus Costs of College Attendance by Institution

University System of Georgia, AY 2007-08

On -

In-State

On-Campus Campus

Tuition and Books and Room and Other

Fees

Supplies

Board

Expenses

Total In-State Living on Campus

Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University University of Georgia Research Universities Average

$5,305 $5,484 $5,622 $5,470

$2,500 $1,000
$840 $1,447

$7,328 $8,434 $7,292 $7,685

$1,500 $3,906 $2,300 $2,569

$16,633 $18,824 $16,054 $17,170

Georgia Southern University Valdosta State University Regional Universities Average

$4,082 $4,038 $4,060

$1,200 $1,000 $1,100

$6,860 $6,990 $6,925

$2,800 $5,250 $4,025

$14,942 $17,278 $16,110

Albany State University Armstrong Atlantic State University Augusta State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Southwestern State University Kennesaw State University North Georgia College & State University Savannah State University Southern Polytechnic State University University of West Georgia State Universities Average

$3,470 $3,424 $3,242 $3,582 $3,514 $3,558 $4,750 $3,546 $3,806 $3,810 $3,486 $3,872 $3,918 $3,691

$892 $1,200 $1,000 $2,000
$814 $900 $900 $1,200 $1,000 $750 $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $1,089

$5,796 $5,800 $9,600
N/A $7,870 $7,260 $6,480 $5,524 $9,219 $5,042 $5,348 $5,780 $5,632 $6,613

$3,254 $6,583 $3,180
N/A $2,843 $1,700 $3,138 $5,430 $2,454 $2,646 $1,900 $3,900 $3,674 $3,392

$13,412 $17,007 $17,022
$15,041 $13,418 $15,268 $15,700 $16,479 $12,248 $11,734 $15,052 $14,224 $14,717

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Dalton State College Gainesville College Gordon College Macon State College Middle Georgia College State Colleges Average

$2,374 $1,952 $2,092 $2,152 $2,060 $2,296 $2,154

$1,125 $1,200 $1,000
$750 $1,071
$800 $991

$6,100 N/A N/A
$6,150 N/A
$4,770 $5,673

$2,800 N/A N/A
$4,236 N/A $800
$2,612

$12,399 N/A NA
$13,288 N/A
$8,666 $11,451

Atlanta Metropolitan College Bainbridge College Coastal Georgia Community College Darton College East Georgia College Georgia Highlands College Georgia Perimeter College South Georgia College Waycross College Two-Year Colleges Average

$2,010 $1,950 $1,750 $2,090 $1,922 $1,872 $2,234 $2,154 $1,904 $1,987

$1,200 $650
$1,105 $1,270
$756 $750 $1,000 $720 $1,618 $1,008

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $5,400 N/A $5,400

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $3,204 N/A $3,204

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $11,478 N/A $11,478

SYSTEM TOTALS

$3,131

$1,082

$6,604

$3,214

$14,579

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Annual In-State, Off Campus Not Living with Family Costs of College Attendance by Institution University System of Georgia, AY 2007-08

Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University University of Georgia Research Universities Average
Georgia Southern University Valdosta State University Regional Universities Average
Albany State University Armstrong Atlantic State University Augusta State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Southwestern State University Kennesaw State University North Georgia College & State University Savannah State University Southern Polytechnic State University University of West Georgia State Universities Average
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Dalton State College Gainesville College Gordon College Macon State College Middle Georgia College State Colleges Average
Atlanta Metropolitan College Bainbridge College Coastal Georgia Community College Darton College East Georgia College Georgia Highlands College Georgia Perimeter College South Georgia College Waycross College Two-Year Colleges Average
SYSTEM TOTALS

In-State Tuition and
Fees
$5,305 $5,484 $5,622 $5,470
$4,082 $4,038 $4,060
$3,470 $3,424 $3,242 $3,582 $3,514 $3,558 $4,750 $3,546 $3,806 $3,810 $3,486 $3,872 $3,918 $3,691
$2,374 $1,952 $2,092 $2,152 $2,060 $2,296 $2,154
$2,010 $1,950 $1,750 $2,090 $1,922 $1,872 $2,234 $2,154 $1,904 $1,987
$3,131

Books and Supplies
$2,500 $1,000
$840 $1,447
$1,200 $1,000 $1,100
$892 $1,200 $1,000 $2,000
$814 $900 $900 $1,200 $1,000 $750 $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $1,089
$1,125 $1,200 $1,000
$750 $1,071
$800 $991
$1,200 $650
$1,105 $1,270
$756 $750 $1,000 $720 $1,618 $1,008
$1,082

Off-Campus Room and
Board

OffCampus
Other Expenses

$6,600 $10,986
N/A $8,793

$1,500 $3,906
N/A $2,703

$6,860 N/A
$6,860

$2,800 N/A
$2,800

$11,730 $7,266 $8,490 $7,899 $3,600
N/A $5,524 $9,219 $8,686 $7,727 $6,492 $7,152 $7,617
N/A $7,000 $10,000 $3,450 $3,451
N/A $5,975
$9,283 $5,426 $7,200 $6,562 $4,933 $5,000 $4,000 $5,400 $6,976 $6,087
$6,923

$7,728 $3,180 $3,000 $3,463 $3,420
N/A $5,430 $3,444 $4,554 $1,900 $3,900 $3,674 $3,972
N/A $1,600 $2,500 $3,836 $5,052
N/A $3,247
$2,157 $2,660 $3,400 $1,306 $4,320 $5,250 $2,800 $3,204 $2,810 $3,101
$3,437

Total In-State Living off Campus
$15,905 $21,376
N/A $18,641
$14,942 N/A
$14,942
$24,082 $14,688 $17,072 $15,690 $11,478
N/A $15,700 $17,469 $17,800 $14,113 $15,764 $15,744 $16,327
$11,752 $15,592 $10,188 $11,634
N/A $12,292
$14,650 $10,686 $13,455 $11,228 $11,931 $12,872 $10,034 $11,478 $13,308 $12,182
$14,468

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Annual Out-of-State, On-Campus Costs of College Attendance by Institution University System of Georgia, AY 2007-08

Out-of-State Tuition and
Fees

Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University University of Georgia Research Universities Average

$21,699 $18,972 $20,726 $20,466

Georgia Southern University Valdosta State University Regional Universities Average

$12,954 $12,910 $12,932

Albany State University Armstrong Atlantic State University Augusta State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Southwestern State University Kennesaw State University North Georgia College & State University Savannah State University Southern Polytechnic State University University of West Georgia State Universities Average

$12,074 $12,028 $11,359 $12,186 $12,118 $12,162 $16,424 $12,150 $12,678 $12,414 $12,090 $13,590 $12,790 $12,620

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Dalton State College Gainesville College Gordon College Macon State College Middle Georgia College State Colleges Average

$7,990 $7,280 $7,708 $7,768 $7,676 $7,912 $7,722

Atlanta Metropolitan College Bainbridge College Coastal Georgia Community College Darton College East Georgia College Georgia Highlands College Georgia Perimeter College South Georgia College Waycross College Two-Year Colleges Average

$7,250 $7,200 $6,990 $7,330 $7,162 $6,888 $7,474 $7,394 $7,144 $7,204

SYSTEM TOTALS

$10,985

Books and Supplies
$2,500 $1,000
$840 $1,447
$1,200 $1,000 $1,100
$892 $1,200 $1,000 $2,000
$814 $900 $900 $1,200 $1,000 $750 $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $1,089
$1,125 $1,200 $1,000
$750 $1,071
$800 $991
$1,200 $650
$1,105 $1,270
$756 $750 $1,000 $720 $1,618 $1,008
$1,082

On-Campus Room and
Board

OnCampus
Other Expenses

$7,328 $8,434 $7,292 $7,685

$1,500 $3,906 $2,300 $2,569

$6,860 $6,990 $6,925

$2,800 $5,250 $4,025

$5,796 $5,800 $9,600 N/A $7,870 $7,260 $6,480 $5,524 $9,219 $5,042 $5,348 $5,780 $5,632 $6,613

$3,254 $6,583 $3,180
N/A $2,843 $1,700 $3,138 $5,430 $2,454 $2,646 $1,900 $3,900 $3,674 $3,392

$6,100 N/A N/A
$6,150 N/A
$4,770 $5,673

$2,800 N/A N/A
$4,236 N/A $800
$2,612

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $5,400 N/A $5,400

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $3,204 N/A $3,204

$6,604

$3,214

Total Out-ofState
Living on Campus
$33,027 $32,312 $31,158 $32,166
$23,814 $26,150 $24,982
$22,016 $25,611 $25,139
N/A $23,645 $22,022 $26,942 $24,304 $25,351 $20,852 $20,338 $24,770 $23,096 $23,674
$18,015 N/A N/A
$18,904 N/A
$14,282 $17,067
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $16,718 N/A $16,718
$23,736

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Annual Out-of-State, Off-Campus Not Living with Family Costs of College Attendance by Institution University System of Georgia, AY 2007-08

Out-of-State Tuition and
Fees

Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University University of Georgia Research Universities Average

$21,699 $18,972 $20,726 $20,466

Georgia Southern University Valdosta State University Regional Universities Average

$12,954 $12,910 $12,932

Albany State University Armstrong Atlantic State University Augusta State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Southwestern State University Kennesaw State University North Georgia College & State University Savannah State University Southern Polytechnic State University University of West Georgia State Universities Average

$12,074 $12,028 $11,359 $12,186 $12,118 $12,162 $16,424 $12,150 $12,678 $12,414 $12,090 $13,590 $12,790 $12,620

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Dalton State College Gainesville College Gordon College Macon State College Middle Georgia College State Colleges Average

$7,990 $7,280 $7,708 $7,768 $7,676 $7,912 $7,722

Atlanta Metropolitan College Bainbridge College Coastal Georgia Community College Darton College East Georgia College Georgia Highlands College Georgia Perimeter College South Georgia College Waycross College Two-Year Colleges Average

$7,250 $7,200 $6,990 $7,330 $7,162 $6,888 $7,474 $7,394 $7,144 $7,204

SYSTEM TOTALS

$10,985

Books and Supplies

Off-Campus Room and
Board

OffCampus
Other Expenses

$2,500 $1,000
$840 $1,447

$6,600 $10,986
N/A $8,793

$1,500 $3,906
N/A $2,703

$1,200 $1,000 $1,100

$6,860 N/A $6,860

$2,800 N/A
$2,800

$892 $1,200 $1,000 $2,000
$814 $900 $900 $1,200 $1,000 $750 $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $1,089

N/A $11,730 $7,266 $8,490 $7,899 $3,600
N/A $5,524 $9,219 $8,686 $7,727 $6,492 $7,152 $7,617

N/A $7,728 $3,180 $3,000 $3,463 $3,420
N/A $5,430 $3,444 $4,554 $1,900 $3,900 $3,674 $3,972

$1,125 $1,200 $1,000
$750 $1,071
$800 $991

N/A $7,000 $10,000 $3,450 $3,451
N/A $5,975

N/A $1,600 $2,500 $3,836 $5,052
N/A $3,247

$1,200 $650
$1,105 $1,270
$756 $750 $1,000 $720 $1,618 $1,008

$9,283 $5,426 $7,200 $6,562 $4,933 $5,000 $4,000 $5,400 $6,976 $6,087

$2,157 $2,660 $3,400 $1,306 $4,320 $5,250 $2,800 $3,204 $2,810 $3,101

$1,082

$6,923

$3,437

Total Out-ofState
Living on Campus
$32,299 $34,864
N/A $33,582
$23,814 N/A
$23,814
N/A $32,686 $22,805 $25,676 $24,294 $20,082
N/A $24,304 $26,341 $26,404 $22,717 $25,482 $24,616 $22,703
N/A $17,080 $21,208 $15,804 $17,250
N/A $17,836
$19,890 $15,936 $18,695 $16,468 $17,171 $17,888 $15,274 $16,718 $18,548 $17,399
$22,012

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