Save on College by Picking the Right School

College is expensive.

The average cost for tuition, fees, room and board at a four-year private institution was $32,307 last year, according to the College Board, up about 6% from the previous term. Each full-time student at those schools received $9,300 in grants and tax benefits, on average, making the net cost about $23,000.

State schools are less expensive -- $13,589 for in-state students and $24,044 for out-of-state students at four-year schools -- but still a hard pill to swallow for those scrimping and saving to make ends meet. The average grants and tax benefits for each student in those institutions was $3,600.

College costs have been rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation each year for some time, and are projected to keep accelerating. Low-income families get more government aid, while athletes and super-smart overachievers rely on their talents for financial incentives. ...