Son has the Presidential and Engineering Scholarship and we live in Wisconsin. He has either been in a suite dorm, or a rather expensive apartment and I estimate with room, food and books, we pay about $9,000-$11,000 per year without transporation costs. He flies in and out for Fall break, Christmas and Spring break and my husband drives him to/from at the beginning and end of the year. With hotel costs, travel estimate is $1500+ (driving, airfare and needed hotels). You probably could go cheaper and not come home at all and live in a less expensive dorm, and cheaper apartment, but in my opinion I don’t think you would be able to get it down to less than $7,000 per year in year 2-4. Hope this helps.