Bob Nash President | Gather 4 Him Christian College
Bob Nash President | Gather 4 Him Christian College
Data shows that students paid $18,791 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $268 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, Paul Mitchell the School-Richland stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $19,460. Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology followed with an average of $19,000 per year. Pacific Northwest Christian College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $11,350.
At the time, a total of $1.2 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Benton County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $1.4 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in Benton County, including Pacific Northwest Christian College, Paul Mitchell the School-Richland, and Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology | 36 | $133,908 | $3,720 | 38 | $223,618 | $5,885 |
| Pacific Northwest Christian College | 49 | $331,417 | $6,764 | 14 | $74,000 | $5,286 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Richland | 129 | $689,805 | $5,347 | 140 | $1,101,621 | $7,869 |
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