Fast Facts

Expenditures

Question:
How much do colleges and universities spend on students?

Response:
In 2009�, average total expenditures per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student at public degree-granting colleges were $26,200. The 2009� total expenditures per FTE student were lower than in 2008�, but about 1 percent higher than in 2003�, after adjustment for inflation. In 2009�, public 4-year colleges had average total expenditures per FTE student of $35,700, compared with $11,900 at public 2-year colleges. At private not-for-profit colleges, total expenditures per FTE student rose 6 percent between 2003� and 2009�, after adjustment for inflation. In 2009�, total expenditures per FTE student at private not-for-profit colleges were $45,900; they averaged $46,100 at 4-year colleges and $19,000 at 2-year colleges. The expenditures per FTE student at private for-profit institutions were $12,400 in 2009�, which was about 6 percent lower than in 2003�, after adjustment for inflation. The difference between average expenditures per FTE student at private for-profit 4-year colleges ($12,400) and private for-profit 2-year colleges ($12,600) was relatively small compared to the differences between 2-year and 4-year public and private not-for-profit colleges.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2012). Digest of Education Statistics, 2011 (NCES 2012-001), Chapter 3.

¹Constant dollars based on the Consumer Price Index, prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, adjusted to a school-year basis.

NOTE: Degree-granting institutions grant associate's or higher degrees and participated in Title IV federal financial aid programs.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2012). Digest of Education Statistics, 2011 (NCES 2012-001), Table 377.

Related Tables and Figures:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Table 378. Expenditures of public degree-granting institutions, by level of institution, purpose of expenditure, and state or jurisdiction: 2006-07 through 2009-10
  
• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Table 379. Total expenditures of private not-for-profit degree-granting institutions, by purpose and level of institution: 1999-2000 through 2009-10
  
• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Table 381. Total expenditures of private for-profit degree-granting institutions, by purpose and level of institution: 1999-2000 through 2009-10
  
• 2012, The Condition of Education 2012: Postsecondary Expenses
  

Other Resources:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2011, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) examines the characteristics of students in postsecondary education, with special focus on how they finance their education.
  
• 2010, The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): IPEDS is a system of surveys designed to collect data from all primary providers of postsecondary education.