Private College Tuition Costs A Lot Less Than You May Think
How much does college cost? Not as much as you might believe. Private school tuition can be greatly discounted with scholarship and grants. Every undergraduate student at Pacific University receives some form of financial aid.
Explore academic merit scholarships at Pacific worth up to $30,000 per year! Connect with your personal financial aid counselor and see what you qualify for today.
Private university vs. public university is one of the first decisions aspiring college students make when beginning their research into options for higher education.
Through that research many discover that the average tuition for private schools is higher than the tuition at nearby public schools.
As you begin to think about college costs, the thought may cross your mind: is it worth it to attend a private nonprofit university?
Private colleges, which normally have a smaller student body and lower student-to-faculty ratio, have some advantages over their public equivalents.
Underpinning those advantages is the fact that nearly all undergraduate students who attend private universities pay significantly less than full tuition through a combination of grants, scholarships, and other financial aid.
So what is the true cost of a bachelor’s degree from a private college? Let’s explore.
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Why Are the Costs of Private School Higher?
On paper, average tuition for small, private nonprofit universities will be routinely higher than public colleges in the same area, regardless of residency status.
As the average cost of a bachelor’s degree continues to rise, it's important to know if the additional expense of private university tuition will result in additional value during your time on campus, and after as you begin and continue your career.
So, what exactly are you paying for at private schools that you can’t get at a public institution?
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More individualized attention. From professors to advisors, IT helpdesk workers to resident assistants, you receive consistent and compassionate support at private universities.
This enhanced recognition of student needs is one of the main reasons graduation rates are 5% higher at private colleges than at their public counterparts.
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More research opportunities. Whether on campus or at an associated partner organization, private universities are often at the forefront of cutting-edge trends in research and innovation.
At both the undergraduate and graduate level, you can professionally engage with your interests thanks to generous funding at the private college level.
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More full-time faculty. Experts in their field, over a quarter of all university spending goes towards hiring permanent professors and staff that help push programs forward and inspire students.
Full-time professors mean that your classes are taught by people with a passion for their subject who can connect you with innovators within your desired career.
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More money after graduation. For many, higher education is seen as an investment, with a high salary as the reward for completing your degree.
Lifetime earnings have been shown to be higher on average for those with a degree from an accredited private nonprofit university when compared to those who attended regional or national public schools.
How Much Does Attending a Private College Actually Cost?
According to a recent College Board study, the average cost of attending a small, private university comes to $56,190, a figure that includes one year of tuition, housing, and meals.
However, due to the abundance of financial aid, grants, and scholarships available at those same private universities, the true cost of attending private school is much lower.
That same College Board study also showed that, on average, students attending private colleges received $25,630 in financial aid, lowering the cost of attendance by nearly 40%.
That financial aid includes a wide array of academic scholarships, need-based grants, and tuition assistance, all of which bring the cost of attending a private college closer to similar public schools in your area.
At Pacific, every undergraduate student receives some form of institutional financial aid, significantly lowering the cost of college and allowing you to focus on school instead of money.
How Does Attending a Private University Save You Money?
The easiest way to save money during your undergrad is to graduate on time, taking on as little debt as possible before you begin making money in your career.
Due to the close relationships forged at private universities with faculty, advisors, and career counselors, students are kept on track to graduate as soon as possible.
Studies have shown that students who attend private nonprofit universities have higher graduation rates within the normal graduation timeline, meaning that they get the classes they need to graduate when they need them.
Pacific’s Four-Year Graduation Guarantee ensures that academically-eligible undergrads will receive the instruction necessary to graduate in four years, allowing them to launch their careers and start making an impact.
How Do I Find Private University Scholarships?
The average tuition for private schools can be reduced greatly by scholarships, which are available for both undergraduate and graduate students at private colleges.
Finding these scholarships is as simple as talking to your prospective school’s office of financial aid, which distributes funds that can reduce the cost of college by half.
Financial aid counselors can point you toward private college academic scholarships — which can save you over $20,000 — and institutional scholarships, both of which are available to most incoming first-year students.
You can even get scholarships to private nonprofit universities by simply touring campus! Senior Preview Scholarship Days are not only a great way to explore Pacific, but attendees also earn scholarship money just for taking part.
Any financial aid, whether it be scholarship or federal loans, is only accessible once you have filled out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which has been simplified with recent changes.
Ready to become a Boxer? Submit your tuition deposit today and secure your place at one of the Northwest’s most celebrated private universities.