What is the average cost per credit?

Community colleges average $150-$350/credit. State universities average $400-$800/credit. Private universities can exceed $1,500/credit.

Is it cheaper to take more credits?

Many schools charge flat-rate tuition for 12-18 credits. If so, taking more credits within that range lowers your per-credit cost.

Online credit costs vary. Some schools charge the same, others offer lower rates for online courses, and some charge technology fees.

Calculate the cost per credit hour at your institution to compare value across schools and evaluate course costs.

Total Semester Tuition ($)

Semester Fees ($)

Credits per Semester

Cost per Credit Hour

$613.33

Cost of a 3-Credit Course$1,840

Total Semester Cost$9,200

Cost per Credit Hour vs Total Semester Tuition ($)

Divide total tuition and fees by the number of credits.

Cost per Credit = (Tuition + Fees) / Credits

This helps compare schools and understand the true cost of each course. A 3-credit course costs 3x the per-credit rate.

Semester tuition $8,000, fees $1,200, taking 15 credits.