12/08/2025
The average cost of college in the United States is $38,270 per student per year, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board, according to the Education Data Initiative. That's $153,080 over four years.
We’ve listed 15 states offering free tuition with no income requirement. For each location, you’ll find the median list price in 2024, and the minimum income needed to live comfortably, using the “30% rule” to keep housing costs manageable. This rule earmarks no more than 30% of your monthly income going toward your housing payment.