Three things new students are rarely told about going to college: it can feel lonely at first, the workload is heavier and less supervised than in high school, and it is expensive. According to the College Board, the average 2025-26 budget for an in-state student at a public four-year college was $30,990.
Key Takeaways
- Homesickness and loneliness are common in the first weeks; joining small, regular groups is the fastest fix.
- College success depends more on steady work habits than on social life.
- As of October 2026, the College Board’s newest figures put average 2025-26 student budgets at $30,990 (public four-year, in-state), $50,920 (out-of-state) and $65,470 (private nonprofit four-year).
- Grant aid means many students pay well below the sticker price, so compare net prices, not published tuition.
- Use federal loans before private loans, and borrow only what you need.
For a lot of people, going to college is about having fun. Films, TV and social media tend to show campus life as one long party, so the expectation is understandable. For many students, though, the real draw is independence.
College offers kids the first attempt at adult life, albeit in a protected environment. Freedom from parental rules, and responsibility for yourself, is part of the appeal of campus life. It is only one side of college, however. Below are three things new students are rarely told before they arrive, followed by practical steps for each.
1] College can be lonely.
Ironically enough, the same reason why college will be fun is the same reason why it can get very lonely. Leaving home can be jarring for some people, with some getting homesick in their first few weeks.
If you go to a college far from home, you’ll have to make friends all over again. Considering that college can get very busy with activities, it may be a bit difficult to find people who care.
That being said, you’ll meet a lot of great and smart people in your time in college. The friends you make in college are likely to end up being lifelong friends.
2] College is a lot of work.
For a lot of students, the seriousness of college doesn’t hit home until they have to write their first project or paper. At its core, college is work.
What makes a successful college experience is less about the parties you attended and more about the work you put in. You’ll have to write a lot of presentations and study hard. For some people, the workload can be overwhelming, but you stand a better chance if you’re prepared for it.
Many students lean on caffeine while juggling overlapping deadlines for projects and papers. Having friends to share those stressful times is an advantage. You’ll also have to engage in extracurriculars if you’re serious about building your CV.
3] A college education is expensive.
Tertiary education in the US is particularly expensive. According to the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2025 report, the average full-time undergraduate budget for 2025-26 (tuition and fees, housing, food, books, transportation and other costs) was $30,990 for in-state students at public four-year colleges, $50,920 for out-of-state students and $65,470 at private nonprofit four-year colleges. The often-repeated claim that US college costs twice as much as in other developed countries is a rough generalization rather than a single measured figure, because international comparisons depend on what is counted.
The cost rises even higher with the rank of the college. If you don’t have enough to pay for it, you may have to get a student loan. If you are considering a loan, compare the options carefully. Private student loans are offered by banks and finance companies, are not guaranteed by a government agency, generally cost more and offer less favorable terms than federal loans, and are not eligible for income-based repayment plans.
A higher-ranked school usually costs more, and a higher ranking does not guarantee a better result for every student or program. Choosing a less expensive school can keep debt manageable. Private lenders publish their own loan terms online, for example https://www.elfi.com.
You can also choose to go to a cheaper school first to earn college credits before transferring to a high-ranking college to complete your degree.
Conclusion
College is demanding in different ways for every student. However, the better-prepared you are for it, the easier it is.
How Can You Cope With Loneliness in Your First Semester?
Loneliness in the first semester usually eases once a student has a few regular points of contact. Small, repeated groups work better than large one-off events, because you see the same people every week.
- Join one or two clubs, teams or volunteer groups that meet weekly.
- Form or join a study group for your hardest class.
- Keep your door open and go to residence hall events in the first weeks, when many other students are also looking for friends.
- Schedule calls home, but not so many that they replace campus life.
- If low mood lasts for weeks or affects sleep, eating or classes, contact your college counseling center.
How Do You Manage the College Workload?
The college workload feels heavy mainly because nobody checks your progress between exams. Students who plan the whole term in advance usually cope better than those who react to deadlines as they arrive.
- On the first day of term, copy every due date from each syllabus into one calendar.
- Break large papers and projects into weekly steps with your own mini-deadlines.
- Use professors’ office hours early, before you fall behind.
- Use the campus writing center and tutoring services where they are offered.
- Protect sleep; all-night study sessions before exams tend to backfire.
For more study habits, see these ways to improve your college grades and the traits that help students succeed in college.
How Much Does College Cost Per Year?
The cost of college depends heavily on the type of school. The table below uses the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2025 report, the newest edition as of October 2026. Total budget includes tuition and fees, housing, food, books, transportation and other expenses.
| Type of college (2025-26) | Average published tuition and fees | Average total student budget |
|---|---|---|
| Public two-year (in-district) | $4,150 | $21,320 |
| Public four-year (in-state) | $11,950 | $30,990 |
| Public four-year (out-of-state) | $31,880 | $50,920 |
| Private nonprofit four-year | $45,000 | $65,470 |
Published tuition and fees rose between 2.7% and 4.0% from 2024-25 to 2025-26 before adjusting for inflation, according to the same report.
Why Many Students Pay Less Than the Sticker Price
Grant aid lowers the real price for many students. The College Board estimates that in 2025-26, first-time full-time in-state students at public four-year colleges paid average net tuition and fees of about $2,300 after grant aid, and students at private nonprofit four-year colleges paid about $16,910. In 2024-25, undergraduates received an average of $16,810 per full-time-equivalent student in financial aid, including $12,080 in grants. These net tuition figures do not cover housing and food, so the full cost is still higher.
How Big Is Student Loan Debt?
Student loans are a long-term commitment. According to federal data cited on Wikipedia, the federal student loan portfolio held about $1.72 trillion in outstanding principal and interest for 42.6 million recipients as of March 31, 2026. In 2024-25, undergraduates borrowed $46.3 billion in federal loans, about 23% of the total aid they received, according to the College Board.
How Can You Lower the Cost of College?
- Compare net prices after grants, not published tuition.
- Consider starting at a community college, where 2025-26 average in-district tuition and fees were $4,150, and transferring later.
- Use federal loans before private loans, and borrow only what you need for essentials.
- Work part time; see these part-time jobs for college students.
- Track spending with a simple budget; these tips on saving money in college and ways to pay for college can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to feel lonely in college?
Yes, feeling lonely or homesick in the first weeks of college is common, especially for students who move far from home. It usually fades as students join regular groups such as clubs, teams or study groups. If it lasts for weeks, the campus counseling center is the right place to start.
How much does college cost per year in the US?
College costs vary by school type. For 2025-26, the College Board puts average total student budgets at $21,320 at public two-year colleges, $30,990 for in-state students at public four-year colleges, $50,920 for out-of-state students and $65,470 at private nonprofit four-year colleges.
Is a high-ranked college worth the extra cost?
A high-ranked college is worth the extra cost only if it clearly improves your outcome in your chosen field and the debt stays manageable. A higher ranking does not guarantee a better result for every student, so compare net price, program quality and likely earnings.
Should I choose federal or private student loans?
Federal student loans are usually the better first choice. Private loans come from banks and finance companies, are not government-guaranteed, generally cost more and are not eligible for income-based repayment plans.
Can I start at a cheaper college and transfer later?
Yes, many students earn credits at a community college and then transfer to a four-year school. Check in advance which credits the target school will accept, because not every course transfers.
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