When families talk about the rising cost of college, tuition tends to dominate the conversation. But for many students, tuition isn't the largest expense . Room and board , which covers housing and meals, often makes up the majority of the bill. Even at the most expensive colleges ranked by tuition , room and board adds a significant price. Recent data show that at public four-year colleges, room and board now accounts for about 45% of total expenses, while tuition makes up less than 36%. At San Diego State University (SDSU) , a popular in-state option, tuition is only 25% of the total cost of attendance if you include on-campus living. Room and board, meanwhile, makes up more than 62%. Let's look at some raw numbers using SDSU as an example: In-State Tuition: $9,180 Out-of-State Tuition: $13,320 Room and Board: $23,736 It's also important to note that SDSU requires students not in the service area to live on campus for two years. That can really add up! That gap raises a tough question: Is living on campus worth the price, even more so if you're going into debt?
