Hillsdale College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Hillsdale College was $30,780 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4.02%–from $29,590 the prior year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until after graduation.

Hillsdale College meets 71% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Hillsdale College is around $22,672 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $30,497 of debt.

Hillsdale College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Hillsdale College is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Michigan as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's criteria for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Michigan colleges

Is Hillsdale College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Hillsdale College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Hillsdale College:

•On-campus jobs •Hillsdale College-specific loans •Hillsdale College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Hillsdale College Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Hillsdale College.

Room and Board Costs at Hillsdale College

Housing and campus dining at Hillsdale College costs $13,180 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Hillsdale College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Hillsdale College

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Hillsdale College, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city might be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Hillsdale Collegeis in a town in Michigan.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Hillsdale College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Hillsdale College.

How Much Does Hillsdale College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Hillsdale College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$30,780
Room and Board	$13,180
Other expenses	$1,000

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$46,272
Off-Campus	$33,092

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Hillsdale College Financial Aid

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In 2023, 715 of the 1,580 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Hillsdale College meets 71% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $22,672 a year. Around 34% of Hillsdale College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Hillsdale College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,497 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$0
Hillsdale College-Specific Loans	$16,435
Private Loans	$37,815

Most Common Loans for Hillsdale College Students
Institutional Loans	29%
Private loans	15%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Hillsdale College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Hillsdale College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Hillsdale College awarded 458 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $5.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $25.49 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Hillsdale College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Hillsdale College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Hillsdale College was $22,672 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Hillsdale College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$23,600
Off-Campus	$10,420

What will attending Hillsdale College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Hillsdale College's net cost calculator on their website.

Hillsdale College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Hillsdale College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Hillsdale College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Hillsdale College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Hillsdale College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Hillsdale College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Hillsdale College's endowment was valued at $948.7 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Hillsdale College spends about $30,485 a year.

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Learn More About Hillsdale College

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