Many factors contribute to the total size of a college bill, but there's no question the costs of a higher education have rapidly escalated. This week, Bethel University announced it would cut undergraduate tuition by $18,000 a year as it moves toward new pricing methodologies.

Scholarships, resident discounts and other financial incentives reduce college bills for many students, while expenses including room and board and study materials add to them. The state has not released its 2024-25 prices, so the most recent state-published chart is from 2023-24.