College Cost Calculator
Enter tuition and living costs, subtract grants and scholarships, and see your estimated net cost per year and across your whole degree.
The total cost of attendance is far more than tuition. This calculator adds up tuition, housing, food, books, and other costs, subtracts gift aid, and shows your real net cost — the amount you'll need to cover or borrow.
Understanding cost of attendance
Colleges publish a cost of attendance (COA) that includes tuition and fees plus estimated living expenses. Your net price is the COA minus gift aid (grants and scholarships you don't repay). Net price — not the sticker price — is what you actually pay.
Whatever net cost remains is covered by savings, income, family contributions, or loans. To reduce it, maximize free aid first: file the FAFSA and run a thorough scholarship search before borrowing. Then plan repayment wisely — see managing student debt.
This is a planning estimate. Always use each college's official net price calculator and financial aid office for exact figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is included in the cost of attendance?
- Tuition and fees plus living expenses like housing, food, books, transportation, and personal costs. It's much more than tuition alone.
- What's the difference between sticker price and net price?
- Sticker price is the published total cost; net price subtracts grants and scholarships. Net price is what you really pay.
- How can I lower my college costs?
- Maximize grants and scholarships, file the FAFSA, consider in-state or community college credits, budget carefully, and borrow only what you need.