There’s a price tag on college life: How rent, food and other costs add up

NEW DELHI: As admissions gather pace, the cost of pursuing higher education in Delhi is proving to be much more than just college fees for students who move to the capital. Beyond tuition, families often have to budget for accommodation, food, transport, utilities and other day-to-day expenses, all of which significantly increase the overall cost of earning a degree. While tuition fees remain a predictable expense, accommodation is often the largest financial burden for students living away from home. Rent in neighbourhoods close to colleges, coupled with spending on meals, local transport, groceries and other essentials, can substantially raise the annual cost of studying. In contrast, students living with their families are largely spared these expenses, relying instead on homecooked meals and existing household resources.Parents say these recurring living expenses are often underestimated while planning for higher education.