Here, we’ll discuss how to avoid college expenses that can otherwise add to your cost of attendance. You’ll know the best ways to reduce college costs without sacrificing quality. These costs include textbooks, transportation, and technology, among others.
Why would you want to learn about these things in the first place? Well, for starters, college can be expensive, so every dollar saved means a dollar in your pocket. You’re also less likely to take out student loans and get part-time work (i.e., more focus on your studies).
In the United States, the average cost of attendance is $38,270/student/year. This includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses. For reference, the median wage for all occupations is $49,500/year (BLS, May 2024).
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But not all college costs are essential either. Many college costs can be reduced or even opted out of completely. Even tuition and fees can be reduced through scholarships and grants.
So, if you’re interested in these matters, read on. We focus on enabling students to get the best value from their college education.
Our site provides useful tips on saving tuition and maximizing scholarships, among others. In the end, we want to help you make smart financial choices.
Textbooks Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune
Textbooks aren’t unnecessary college costs, per se. Many courses require standardized textbooks so that students can learn from authoritative sources.
But textbooks can be expensive, too. A full-time college student can spend an average of $1,370 on books and supplies (2024-2025). The good news is that you don’t have to spend as much on your textbooks.
Here are effective ways to avoid paying full price for textbooks.
Buy used copies.
The best affordable textbook options are used textbooks. You can get them at 50%-70% cheaper than new ones. Of course, you’ll still get the same content.
Check used textbooks at:
- Campus bookstores
- Student Facebook groups
- Websites like BookFinder, AbeBooks, and Amazon
But check with your professor if a used book still applies to their class before buying.
Rent textbooks.
If you don’t need to keep a book after a course ends, rent it. You can rent books from:
- Your college bookstore
- Online textbook rental services (e.g., VitalSource and Chegg)
- Amazon
Take good care of the rented books. You may have to pay extra fees for damages.
Use free online resources.
Ask your professors about free online resources aligned with the course content. The publisher’s website is an excellent start. You should also explore Project Gutenberg and Google Scholar.
Use Open Educational Resources (OERs).
These are free, high-quality learning materials with open licenses. You can find them in diverse places, too, including:
- Your college’s digital repository
- OER Commons
- MERLOT
- OpenStax
Check with the course syllabus to ensure that you’re using the right OERs.
Take full advantage of library access.
Your university has on-campus and digital libraries available for free to students. Take full advantage of the free access for your research and academics.
Meal Plans Aren’t Always a Good Deal
Sure, an on-campus meal plan is convenient – you don’t have to cook your meals, for one thing. But it can be expensive, too – meal plans can range from $3,000 to 5,000/academic year, on average.
You may also end up paying for more meals than you can eat. This can be due to the food options not matching your dietary preferences, needs, or schedule.
As such, meal plans are among the college costs you can skip. Instead, you can shop for groceries and cook your own meals. Let’s compare this alternative to subscribing to a meal plan.
Campus meal plans have limited flexibility – you have no choice but to choose from whatever’s on the menu. Then, unused meals have expiration dates, meaning wasted money. You may also not eat all your meals on campus for one reason or another.
In contrast, cooking your own food means significant cost reductions. You’ll likely spend $40-$70 per week on your groceries. This is half the price of a full meal on a campus meal plan.
You can also adopt cost-saving strategies when grocery shopping. Trader Joe’s and Aldi offer budget-friendly options. Explore a local farmers’ market or co-ops, too. Buy in bulk, too, so you can save money.
Then, plan your meals. Keep them simple, too, so you can save on preparation time.
You should also consider affordable college meal plan alternatives.
- Choose a smaller meal plan if your college requires students to be on one. Block and commuter plans are great for this purpose.
- Explore food trucks and local eateries for affordable food.
- Use your student discounts in dining establishments.
Indeed, you don’t have to survive on ramen. Meal planning is key to eating healthy meals on a budget.
Campus Housing Fees Can Be Reduced
College students in public institutions spend $11,520/academic year on on-campus housing. With nine months in an academic year, that’s $1,280/month. For reference, the national median rent cost varies from $1,868 to $831/month.
So, one of the best ways to reduce college expenses is to skip on-campus housing.
Live in off-campus housing.
If you live in a college town, you’ll likely find plenty of affordable off-campus options like:
- Apartments
- Student co-ops
- Shared houses
- Garage or basement units
- Rooms for rent in private homes
Finding affordable housing can be easier, too, thanks to the Internet. Browse local listings on Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, and student housing boards, among others.
Don’t forget to consider the utilities, transportation costs, and commuting time. If you choose the right housing, you can still enjoy significant savings.
Live at home.
If it’s possible, you can live with your parents. You won’t have to pay for rent and utilities, and even get free meals. Your parents should, of course, consent to it.
This is an excellent option if you’re studying online or you’re attending a nearby college. Be sure to create a dedicated study space, such as in your bedroom, to make it work.
Live with roommates.
You can split your rent and utilities with roommates so you can afford both essentials. Explore campus Facebook groups and university roommate-matching services. Ask around for recommendations, too.
Transportation Costs Add Up Quickly
Transportation costs are among the hidden college costs that sneak up on you. Gas, maintenance, insurance, and parking permits add up faster than you can hit the brake pedal.
So, what can you do to keep your transportation costs in check?
Avoid unnecessary parking fees.
Skip the parking pass, if you can, because it will add up over the year. While every college has its specific fee structure, it’s common to pay $5 or above for one hour. For example, UCLA charges $5 per hour to $17 all day; rates vary depending on time and location.
Not only are parking passes expensive, but they aren’t a guarantee of convenient spots. You’ll still fight, so to speak, for the best parking spaces.
Use more affordable transportation options.
Instead of parking passes, explore more cost-effective options.
- Take public transit. Check if your college has an ongoing partnership with the local transit system. Students may be eligible for discounted or free rides. Use Google Maps or Transit to plan your routes and, thus, stay on schedule.
- Bike your way on and off the campus. Bikes are low-maintenance transportation, and they usually come with free parking. Explore your college campus for its bike lanes and racks, even repair stations. If you don’t have a bike, ask if your college has a bike share program.
- Carpool with others. Share your car-related expenses by carpooling. You can split the cost of the gas and parking fees with others. Plus, your vehicle’s wear and tear won’t be as much of an issue if you alternate cars.
There’s no need to make big and sudden changes either. You can make small changes, such as carpooling a few days a week, and build from there.
Tech and Supplies You Might Not Need to Buy New
College students can spend $800/year and above on tech devices and products. While calculators, laptops, and software are vital tools, you don’t have to buy them brand new.
Here are effective ways to save money in college on tech devices and products.
Rent or borrow laptops and calculators.
This makes sense if you only need a laptop or a calculator for a short time. You can rent or borrow it for a specific project or during exams only. Your campus libraries may offer said services.
Use discounts and buy refurbished devices.
Take full advantage of student discounts that tech companies offer, too. Apple, Microsoft, Dell, and Adobe, as well as Student Beans and UNiDAYS, are great sources.
Consider refurbished devices, too. These work well but cost a fraction of the cost of brand-new ones.
Be sure to check that, indeed, these have been restored and tested by professionals. Ask about warranties, too. Check Best Buy Outlet, Amazon Renewed, and Apple Certified Refurbished Store.
Fees and Extras to Watch Out For
Not all college costs are on your bill. You must be on the lookout for hidden fees or fees for services that you don’t use. Even a few dollars per semester in hidden fees can add up to hundreds over four years.
Here are the fees and extras that aren’t worth the money:
Campus Gym Memberships
If you’re not into gym-based fitness activities, skip the gym membership. Even if you’re into fitness, you’ll find cheaper or free options (e.g., walking and running around the campus).
Student Activity Fees
These fees are used to fund campus events, services, and clubs. If you’re not into extracurriculars, you may want to skip these fees, too.
Campus Events or Services
On-campus wellness services, transportation services, and events have their costs, too.
The good news is that you can request fee waivers. Here are tips to increase your chances of getting them.
- Ask about the specific fees on your college bill with your college’s student accounts office.
- Be polite but direct in your request for a fee waiver.
- Explain why you’re requesting it. You may live off-campus, or you’re an online student, or you won’t use a specific service.
- Follow up on your request.
In all these college budget tips, you’ll agree that a proactive and assertive approach is a must.
Smarter Ways to Spend
Indeed, earning a college degree is a major financial investment. But it doesn’t have to be expensive either, thanks to strategic planning.
By saving on avoidable costs, you can free up money for tuition and essentials. You can also reduce the need for student loans or, if you have them, use the extra money to pay them.
Here on our website, we provide useful tips on tuition, financial aid, and scholarships. We aim to provide relevant information that will lead to your informed decisions.
With that said, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- File your complete and accurate FAFSA every year. Maximize your financial aid package by understanding its process.
- Apply for as many scholarships and grants as you can. Use scholarship databases and search engines. Ask around in your local community.
- Cut down on non-essentials and hidden costs. Late fees and penalties don’t work in your favor either.
- Take full advantage of tuition-saving strategies. Transfer credits, military education benefits, and PLAs are great ideas.
Being frugal in college isn’t about depriving yourself. Instead, it’s about being smart with your money and, thus, setting a strong foundation for your future.
Final Thoughts: Affordable Learning That Pays Off
In conclusion, college is expensive. But you don’t have to pay for everything either. Once you learn how to cut costs in college, it’s more affordable.
You must also do the work to succeed at it. You must research and compare your options. This way, you can make budget-conscious decisions.