Beyond Tuition: The Hidden Costs of College and Their Disproportionate Impact

College affordability conversations tend to focus on tuition. But it’s the total cost of attendance (COA) that can catch many students off guard and derail their progress toward a degree. A new deep-dive report from Inside Higher Ed, “Beyond Tuition: The Hidden Costs of College and Their Disproportionate Impact,” reveals how inaccurate COA disclosures and unexpected costs, from mandatory meal plans to technology fees to rising rents, can blindside students and threaten their success. 

Drawing on data from Inside Higher Ed’s Student Voice surveys and other research, plus interviews with dozens of experts, student advocates and students themselves, the report notes that just 27 percent of undergraduates fully understand their institution’s cost of attendance and that, for some, even an unexpected $100 bill could threaten their enrollment. Hidden costs hit lower-income, first-generation, parenting, international and other student groups especially hard, the report also finds.

Examining efforts to improve COA accuracy and transparency, and zooming in on students and change-makers in California, New York and Texas, the report calls for colleges to provide more accurate COA data, expanded emergency aid and clearer communication to help students plan for the full cost of college, not just the tuition bill.

Get a copy of the deep-dive report by clicking the Download button above. And don’t forget to register for the live webcast on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. E.T., featuring Inside Higher Ed’s Colleen Flaherty, along with a panel of higher education experts, as they discuss the report’s findings in greater detail.

Number of Pages: 45 (6.11 MB PDF)

Date Released: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

About the Author: Melissa Ezarik is a K–12 and higher education–focused journalist, editor and content strategist with a deep understanding of how campus programming and approaches, as well as institutional and legislative policies, impact student success. She developed and launched Inside Higher Ed’s Student Voice surveys and the Student Success news hub and newsletter, covering success in academics, the college experience, health and wellness (including financial literacy), and career exploration and preparation. As creator of the Substack publication Higher Ed Giving Site Storytelling, Ezarik advises colleges and universities on advancement communications, especially related to narratives around donor impact on student opportunities, services and supports.

This report was made possible in part by the financial support of the Gates Foundation.

Support: Please email store@insidehighered.com with questions regarding the report or your download.