CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: People walk through the gate on Harvard Yard at the Harvard ... More University campus on June 29, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admission policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution, bringing an end to affirmative action in higher education. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

There are all kinds of reasons students might want to attend a private or out-of-state schools, including the potential for smaller class sizes, the ability to join an award-winning program, or just the desire to study further away from home. But, there’s often a huge trade-off when it comes to attending a college that doesn't offer in-state tuition.

Students who attend prestigious or distant schools may pay an extreme amount for tuition, fees and travel, and they can face a much higher student debt burden as a result. The most expensive colleges in the United States now have tuition prices over $70,000 per year, notes my site, The College Investor.

The facts are laid out bare when you consider the increasing costs of higher education across the United States. According to CollegeBoard, tuition and fees for one year averaged out to the following nationwide for the 2024-25 academic year.

These figures represent the sticker price for tuition for one year of higher education, and most students don't pay anywhere close to these amounts due to aid they receive. However, there's a huge disparity between tuition for in-state, out-of-state and private four-year schools that can't always be overcome with additional financial........

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