Choosing the best college or university for you can be difficult, and it basically comes down to finances for the most part. According to a survey by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, it is noted that the average student who entered a private institution in fall 2010 received a tuition discount of nearly 50 percent.

Financial assistance gives man students an opportunity to afford to even look at higher-priced schools. Others may simply explore private schools that offer a more manageable price from the start.

Among the 829 private colleges and universities that reported data to U.S. News in a 2011 survey of undergraduate programs, the average cost of tuition and required fees for the 2011-2012 academic year is $27,340. The 10 least expensive private colleges in the United States cost an average of $6,115 annually for tuition and fees, which is down from $7,220 annually the year before

These private institutions offer the least expensive tuition and fees in the country:

10. Amridge University (AL)

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $8,420

U.S. News rank and category: RNP*, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

9. Lane College

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $8,220

U.S. News rank and category: RNP, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

8. Rust College (MS)

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $8,100

U.S. News rank and category: RNP, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

7. Concordia College (AL)

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $7,920

U.S. News rank and category: RNP, Regional Colleges (South)

 

6. Arkansas Baptist College

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $7,800

U.S. News rank and category: RNP, Regional Colleges (South)

 

5. Mid-Continent University (KY)

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $7,300

U.S. News rank and category: RNP, Regional Colleges (South)

 

4. Brigham Young University--Provo

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $4,560

U.S. News rank and category: 71, National Universities

 

3. Brigham Young University--Hawaii

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $4,450

U.S. News rank and category: 23, Regional Colleges (West)

 

2. Brigham Young University--Idaho

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $3,470

U.S. News rank and category: 12, Regional Colleges (West)

 

1. Berea College (KY)

Tuition and fees (2011-2012): $910

U.S. News rank and category: 71, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

*RNP denotes an institution that is ranked in the bottom one fourth of its ranking category. U.S. News calculates a rank for the school but has decided not to publish it.