Vassar College

In 2022, tuition for full-time Vassar students was $66,870 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4.75%–from $63,840 the prior year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you're done with college.

Vassar College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Vassar College is around $63,045 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $24,138 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Vassar College

Vassar College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of New York as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. 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 New York colleges

Vassar College International Student Tuition

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

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Vassar College-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Vassar College:

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

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Vassar College Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Vassar College.

Room and Board Costs at Vassar College

Room and board at Vassar College costs $17,415 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Vassar College's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

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

How Much Do Books Cost at Vassar College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. 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

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

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

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Vassar College, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact 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 costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Vassar Collegeis in a suburb in New York, not far from New York City.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to consider the cost of things 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 Vassar 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 Vassar College.

How Much Does Vassar College Cost?

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$66,870
Room and Board	$17,415
Board Only	$4,890

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$85,220
Off-Campus	$72,695

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.

Vassar College’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for part-time students

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Vassar College Financial Aid

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The majority of Vassar College undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 1,387 of the 2,459 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Vassar College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $63,045 a year. Around 45% of Vassar College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Vassar College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,138 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$16,655
Vassar College-Specific Loans	$13,333
Private Loans	$52,939

Most Common Loans for Vassar College Students
Federal Loans	42%
Institutional Loans	3%
Private loans	6%

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 Vassar College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Vassar 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, Vassar College awarded 1,378 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $72.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10,000 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Vassar College

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 Vassar 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 Vassar College was $63,045 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Vassar College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$22,175
Off-Campus	$9,650

What will attending Vassar 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 Vassar College's net cost calculator on their website.

Vassar College Tuition Payment Plans

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

Vassar College does not have guaranteed tuition.

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

Vassar Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Vassar 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.

Vassar 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.

As of 2022, the total market value of Vassar College's endowment was $1.196 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Vassar College spends about $34,088 a year.

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Learn More About Vassar College

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