College tuition fees rose 5.7% in Lauderdale County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $13,115 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $704 more than the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, the University of North Alabama stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $13,132. Heritage Christian University followed with an average of $11,632 per year.
At the time, a total of $12.2 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Lauderdale County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $2.8 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Alabama | 1,062 | $12,228,812 | $11,515 | 442 | $2,789,995 | $6,312 |
| Heritage Christian University | 0 | $0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
