Calculators
College Cost Calculator
Estimate the total net cost of a degree from tuition, housing, books, transport and personal costs, inflation and grants.
- Runs in your browser
- Nothing uploaded
The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
Everything you enter stays on your own machine. Nothing is sent to us or to anyone else, which you can confirm in your browser network tab.
What people use it for
- Comparing colleges
- Planning college savings
- Family budgeting
- Deciding between living on and off campus
About this tool
What the College Cost Calculator does
The full cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, housing and food, books, transport and personal expenses. Costs usually rise each year, while grants and scholarships reduce what the family pays. This calculator totals the net cost over the degree.
Formula
- Annual cost = tuition + housing + books + transport + personal
- Each year rises by the cost increase
- Net = total cost − grants and scholarships
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees per year | $12,000 |
| Housing and food per year | $11,500 |
| Books and supplies per year | $1,200 |
| Transport per year | $1,500 |
| Personal expenses per year | $2,000 |
| Grants and scholarships per year | $6,000 |
| Annual cost increase | 4% |
| Years of study | 4 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Total net cost | $95,750 |
| Average net cost per year | $23,938 |
| Total cost of attendance | $119,750 |
How to read the result
Use each college’s net price calculator for a personalised aid estimate; published prices often overstate what families pay.
Loans are not grants; they reduce what you pay now but add to cost later.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
The total estimated cost of a year at college, including tuition, housing, food, books and other expenses.
Cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Historically several percent a year, varying by institution.
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