Within an institution, full-time, full-year students usually have the highest educational expenses because they are charged the full tuition price and incur other education-related expenses for a full academic year. The tuition and fees for full-time, full-year undergraduates in 1999–2000 averaged about $1,600 at public 2-year institutions, $4,300 at public 4-year institutions, $8,900 at private for-profit institutions, and $15,000 at private not-for-profit 4-year institutions. The tuition and fees at any particular institution within these sectors may vary considerably from these averages.

The total price of attendance is the sum of tuition and fees and estimated nontuition expenses such as room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses while enrolled. For full-time, full-year undergraduates, the average total price of attendance in 1999–2000 was $9,100 at public 2-year institutions, $12,600 at public 4-year institutions, $18,400 at private for-profit institutions, and $23,600 at private not-for-profit 4-year institutions. Tuition and fees and nontuition expenses for the 62 percent of undergraduates enrolled part time or part year are much lower than these amounts.