Average Cost of Private College (Tuition) (2026 stats)
TL;DR
National median: $24,883.45; National average: $26,171.10.
Key Facts
- National median: $24,883.45
- National average: $26,171.10
Download the data
Downloads reflect the processed dataset used to generate this page’s charts and tables.
Private College Tuition by Segment
Private College Tuition Segments
Private nonprofit reports the highest median published tuition at $28,185 (mean $29,608.88). Median and mean **published tuition** for private nonprofit vs private for-profit postsecondary institutions (College Scorecard). This is not K–12 private school tuition.
Median published tuition for private nonprofit vs private for-profit institutions. Source: College Scorecard (2024 data).
FAQ
What does the Average Cost of Private College (Tuition) (2026 stats) dataset measure?
It summarizes the metrics shown on this page (charts and tables) using the sources listed in the Data Sources section, with national aggregates and breakdowns where available.
What is the primary data source?
College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Some pages also incorporate Census ACS context where noted.
How often is this page updated?
Pages update when the underlying processed datasets are refreshed and the HTML is regenerated; the Last updated date reflects the most recent build.
Data Sources
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and enrollment data
- Data year: 2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Census ACS - U.S. Census Bureau
- Demographic and workforce data
- Data year: 2023
- Source: census.gov