For full-time undergraduate students in 2010-2011, the average college costs before grants and student loans:
Four-year public institution: $17,600
Four-year private, nonprofit institution: $34,000
Four-year for-profit institution: $27,900
However, grants helped offset a substantial part of the costs. Public colleges and private, nonprofit institutions had the highest percent discounts. The average grant (and percent of the cost):
Four-year public institution: $6,600 (38%)
Four-year private, nonprofit institution: $14,200 (42%)
Four-year for-profit institution: $5,400 (19%)
src: National Center for Education Statistics