It’s no secret that the cost of a college education is a steep investment for families.
According to College Board, the average price of tuition and fees for the 2014-2015 school year at a private institution was $31,231. Meanwhile, the average cost at a public institution for in-state residents was $9,139 and for out-of-state residents $22,958. With additional cost being added for housing, meals, books and supplies, families can easily pay anywhere between $20,089 and $43,663 or more annually to send their child to college.
[Related: Stanford University Offers Free Tuition to Families Earning Less than $125,000]
To help offset rising tuition fees and expand the idea of college to students from all economic backgrounds, take a look at a few institutions across the nation that are working to make their attendance cost more affordable.