In the 2017-18 school year, public 2-year colleges spent an average of $16,856 per full-time student, and public 4-year colleges spent an average of $46,244 per full-time student. On average, 29% of all spending by public colleges was dedicated to student instruction. The remaining 71% is itemized at the first link below. The second link contains facts about whether or not this spending equips students with practical skills.