Families Spent $34,019 On College Last Year, Up 10%

Families Spent $34,019 On College Last Year, Up 10%

Author: The College Investor August 25, 2026 Duration: 11:29

American families spent an average of $34,019 on college during the 2025-26 academic year, a 10% increase from $30,837 the year before, according to the annual Salie Mae and Ipsos study How America Pays for College 2026.

The increase far outpaced published tuition increases, yet families are not backing away from higher education: 91% call college a valuable investment in their student's future, and 84% say they are confident they made the right financial decisions to pay for it.

The 19th edition of the study, based on online surveys of 1,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 parents, arrives at a turning point for college finance. New federal borrowing caps began phasing in for new borrowers this summer, and the survey suggests most families have no idea what's happening with these higher ed reforms.


Hosted by Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor and a recognized Millennial Money Expert, The College Investor Audio Show transforms the website's most valuable insights into a daily, conversational format. This podcast directly tackles the financial hurdles unique to a generation, moving beyond theory into practical, actionable strategies. Each episode focuses on the core pillars of modern financial health: systematically eliminating student loan debt, demystifying the fundamentals of investing, and creating actionable paths to increase your income. The goal is clear: to guide you from a place of debt management to one of confident wealth building. You'll hear straightforward advice on navigating repayment plans, understanding where and how to start investing even with limited capital, and exploring side hustles or career moves that make a real difference. It’s a resource for anyone feeling stalled by their loans and eager to lay a solid foundation for their future. Tune in for a no-nonsense take on millennial money, where complex topics are broken down into manageable steps you can apply immediately.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The College Investor Audio Show
Podcast Episodes
How College Refunds Work Plus The Benefits Of Tuition Insurance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:29
College tuition refunds are rare. Many colleges only give a full refund if you withdraw before the first day of class, and most stop refunding anything at all within about a month of the start date. Check your own school…
College Is Not Risk-Free: The Hidden Costs Families Never Expect [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:30
College is not a risk-free investment - and one $15-a-month decision can save families from a five-figure mistake. GradGuard CEO John Fees breaks down the hidden risks most parents never budget for, from tuition loss and…