H O W T O PAY F O R C O L L E G E
College Expenses WHAT YOU PAY IN ADDITION TO TUITION Photo by Amanda Cheromiah
The main costs of attending college are centered around tuition and room and board. As you see in the estimated cost charts for a tribal college, state college, and a private college, the prices go up considerably depending on which college you choose. There are additional fees some colleges charge students. We share a brief and general overview of those fees and an estimated breakdown of what the costs are for different types of colleges. Note that these are only estimates. When looking at your college of choice, we encourage you to ask about additional fees.
ROOM & BOARD
The cost of your lodging and meals
HEALTH INSURANCE
Check with your college on their health insurance policy
STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE
Activities could include football games and monetary support for student clubs
TRANSPORTATION FEE
Transportation provided to students/staff such as shuttle services, buses, bikes, etc.
CAMPUS SECURITY
TECHNOLOGY FEE
22 
The cost of police officers to ensure your safety and protection Cost of using the Internet, computers, and printers on-campus
FRESHMAN YEAR
TRIBAL OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ESTIMATED NOT ACTUAL COST
TUITION $1,320.00 BOOKS $500.00 ROOM & BOARD $500.00 HEALTH INSURANCE $0.00 ORIENTATION $0.00 STUDENT ID CARD $5.00 STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE $75.00 TRANSPORTATION FEE $0.00 CAMPUS SECURITY $15.00 PARKING PERMIT $0.00 REGISTRATION FEE $85.00 TECHNOLOGY FEE $100.00 ADDITIONAL FEES $200.00
FRESHMAN YEAR
STATE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ESTIMATED NOT ACTUAL COST
TUITION $4,000.00 BOOKS $1,000.00 ROOM & BOARD $6,000.00 HEALTH INSURANCE $550.00 ORIENTATION $100.00 STUDENT ID CARD $25.00 STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE $250.00 TRANSPORTATION FEE $125.00 CAMPUS SECURITY $50.00 PARKING PERMIT $150.00 REGISTRATION FEE $250.00 TECHNOLOGY FEE $200.00 ADDITIONAL FEES $1,000.00
FRESHMAN YEAR
PRIVATE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ESTIMATED NOT ACTUAL COST
TUITION $10,000.00 BOOKS $2,000.00 ROOM & BOARD $12,000.00 HEALTH INSURANCE $3,500.00 ORIENTATION $500.00 STUDENT ID CARD $20.00 STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE $400.00 TRANSPORTATION FEE $325.00 CAMPUS SECURITY $50.00 PARKING PERMIT $500.00 REGISTRATION FEE $350.00 TECHNOLOGY FEE $500.00 ADDITIONAL FEES $3,500.00