The Ultimate Guide to Cutting Your College Costs
The college experience can be expensive: As of 2024, Americans owe about $1.6 trillion in student loans. To avoid being saddled with high debt, cutting college costs is essential.
Luckily, there are clear-cut strategies you can implement to mitigate expenses. Follow these tips to cut your college costs at every stage of your education journey.
While You’re in High School
Start slashing your college expenses in high school by getting college credit and earning money.
Earn College Credit Before Starting College
Earning college credit while you’re in high school can lower the number of college courses you will have to take, which in turn can help you save on tuition. AP, IB, and dual enrollment programs are all ways you can earn college credit while you’re in high school. Choosing which is right for you depends on your learning style and goals.
Former USF Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President of Student Success Glen Besterfield recommends researching the credit-equivalent policies at your target schools to make sure your credits-by-exam or dual-enrollment credits will count toward your degree.
Another option is taking a College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test for college credit. CLEP exams allow you to test out of introductory-level subjects if you earn the minimum score.
Work a Summer Job
Working a job during the summers of your junior and senior year can help you save up money for future college expenses. Setting this money aside for specific items like textbooks can help you budget for expenses in the future.
When You’re Choosing a College
Weighing costs while you’re deciding which college to attend is an important part of the decision process. Here are some factors to keep in mind.
Consider Attending a Public University
Attending an in-state public university can help with cost savings. According to College Board figures for 2025-26, the average tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students are:
- Public four-year in-state: $11,950
- Public four-year out-of-state: $31,880
- Private nonprofit four-year: $45,000
Private colleges are more than two times the cost of a public in-state university, and an over 100 percent increase from an out-of-state public university. Clearly, where you attend college is a big factor in what your overall costs will end up looking like.
Look for Affordability
Various organizations provide rankings on affordability that you can use as a guide to help compare the cost of different colleges. The U.S. Department of Education has a wealth of college affordability and transparency data on their College Cost website.
Use a Net Price Calculator
To accurately compare what the net price of attending an institution will be, use a net price calculator. The net price is the amount that you will pay to attend an institution in a single academic year after subtracting the scholarships and grants you receive. You can find the net price calculator for most colleges at the U.S. Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator Center.
Evaluate Scholarship Options
While you're applying for colleges, be sure to evaluate different scholarship options that are available. For example, USF has admissions scholarships that are automatically applied to a student's file as long as they meet certain criteria and apply before our admissions scholarship deadline, January 15th.
Explore All Aid Options
Before looking into student loans, apply for financial aid and scholarship options. Once you receive each college’s offer of financial aid, you can compare the aid offers to determine which option is best for you.
While You’re in College
Cutting costs doesn’t stop after you’ve started studying. You can continue to watch your expenses and take cost-saving measures during your four years in college.
Attend School Full-Time
While 12 credit hours is normally considered full-time, 15 credit hours is typically what you need to graduate on time. Taking a full course load can help ensure you graduate in four years and avoid accruing additional years of tuition expenses.
Compare Housing Options
Compare the cost of living on vs. off campus to ensure you’re making the most affordable choice of housing. Depending on where you live, on-campus costs can sometimes be cheaper because it’s all-inclusive. If you choose to live off-campus, consider living with roommates to lessen the burden of rent.
Plan Your Path to Graduation
Having a clear plan for which classes you need to take, and when you need to take them, can help you graduate on time. Work with your academic advisor to plan the most efficient path to graduation
Work While You’re in School
There are several ways to earn money while you’re in school, including work-study programs, being a Resident Advisor (RA), or getting a part-time job. (We’ve got tips here for how to balance a job and school.) If working during school is too stressful for you, you can work part-time or full-time over the summer.
Live Like a Student
Take advantage of all the amenities your university has to offer: health care, the recreation center, counseling, the library, free activities and events, etc. In your local community, use your student discount for clothing, activities, electronics, and food. (You can explore Bulls Country discounts here.)
Save on Textbooks
It’s a smart idea to rent your textbooks or buy them used instead of brand-new. If you do buy new textbooks, try to sell them back to the bookstore or online. Alternatively, you can look online for eBook versions of your textbooks, as these can sometimes be less expensive than print versions.
If you’re a Bull, be sure to drop by the USF library, which has several textbooks available for students to check out or make copies of.
Be Responsible With Your Loans
If you do have to take out student loans, remember that you will have to pay them back with interest. Therefore, if you have any student loan money left over after paying for your expenses, you should ask the college to return the funds to your lender. Don’t take out more money than you need to. If possible, make in-school payments on your student loans if possible. This will help you avoid accruing interest. Even a small payment can make a difference in the long run.
Plan Your Meals Wisely
If you decide to sign up for a meal plan, use it to the fullest. Get your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks all through the meal plan. You’ve already paid for it! (And if you’re a USF Bull, we’ve got plenty of tasty options, from traditional dining halls and sidewalk cafes to fast food, multiple Starbucks locations, a pizza joint, and more.)
If you don’t think you’ll leverage the meal plan effectively, make sure you are planning your food affordably. Learn how to cook, limit eating out, and prep your own meals.
Claim Credit on Your Tax Returns
The American Opportunity Tax Credit provides a tax credit on your federal income tax return worth up to $2,500 depending on what you spent on tuition and textbooks.
Continue to Apply for Scholarships and Financial Aid
The scholarship search doesn’t stop after you’re in college. Some scholarships need to be renewed on an annual basis, and some are only available to upperclassmen.
In addition, make sure you fill out the FAFSA every year. Otherwise, you’re essentially leaving free money on the table.
Be Proactive With Your College Budget
Staying on top of your college expenses is no easy feat, but there are ways you can minimize your costs, from earning college credit in high school to taking advantage of being a student perks and resources while you’re in college. Download our Cutting College Costs Guide so you can keep all our cost-saving measures at your fingertips.
