College Costs Rise As Private Student Loans Fall

Average tuition and fees at private 4-year colleges reached $24,243 for 2008-2009, up 5.9%.

Tuition and fees at public 4-year schools averaged $17,452 for out-of-state students, up 5.2%, and $6,585 for in-state students, up 6.4%, according to the College Board, New York.

On average, room and board added another $8,000, up about $400 over the 2007-2008 average.

Full-time undergrads received an average of $8,896 in financial aid, including $4,656 in grant aid and $3,650 in federal loans, the board says.