College Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of college including tuition, room & board, books, and fees. Compare in-state public, out-of-state, and private universities. Includes financial aid offset, inflation projection, and student loan payment estimate.

Annual Cost (Today)
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Total 4-Year Cost —
Projected Total (5% inflation/yr) —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
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Gross Annual Cost
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Total Aid per Year —
Net Annual Cost —
Net 4-Year Total —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾
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Gross Annual Cost of Attendance
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Net Annual Cost (after aid) —
Total Net Cost of Degree —
Estimated Student Loan Balance —
Monthly Loan Payment (10-yr plan) —
Total Interest Over 10 Years —

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select your school type (in-state public, out-of-state public, or private).
  2. Enter the number of years you plan to attend.
  3. See current annual cost and 4-year total with tuition inflation projection.
  4. Use the Current Year Cost tab to enter financial aid, scholarships, and work-study to see your net cost.
  5. Use the Projected Cost tab to see costs inflated for future enrollment years.
  6. Use the Professional tab to break down all expense categories and estimate monthly student loan payments after graduation.

Formula

Net Annual Cost = Gross COA − (Aid + Scholarships + Work-Study)

Projected Cost = Current Cost × (1 + Inflation Rate)^Years Until Enrollment

Monthly Loan Payment = P × r(1+r)^n / ((1+r)^n − 1) where n = 120 months (10-year plan)

Example

In-state public at $27,500/year, enrolling in 3 years at 5% inflation: Year 1 projected cost = $27,500 × 1.05^3 = $31,846. 4-year projected total = $133,000. With $10,500 aid/year: net 4-year = $91,000. Monthly payments at 6.54% over 10 years = $1,025/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For 2024–2025: In-state public university averages ~$27,500/year (tuition $11,600 + room/board $12,900 + fees/other). Out-of-state public averages ~$44,000/year. Private universities average ~$58,000/year. Costs vary widely by school — always check the school's Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates.
  • The sticker price (Cost of Attendance) minus grants, scholarships, and work-study equals the net cost. Federal student aid averages $15,000–20,000/year at many private schools, bringing net costs down significantly. Use the FAFSA to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and eligibility.
  • College tuition has historically increased 4–6% per year — faster than general inflation. A school costing $30,000 today will cost ~$38,288 in 5 years at 5% annual inflation. Use the Projected Cost tab to estimate costs based on when your student will enroll.
  • A common guideline: total student loan debt should not exceed your expected starting annual salary. If you expect to earn $50,000 after graduation, try not to borrow more than $50,000. Monthly payments on $50,000 at 6.5% over 10 years = $567/month — about 13% of $50K gross income.
  • COA is the full annual budget set by the school including tuition, fees, room and board, books, transportation, and personal expenses. It's the maximum amount you can receive in financial aid. Net Price = COA − Grants and Scholarships (not loans or work-study).

Related Calculators

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Sources & References (5) ▾
  1. Federal Student Aid — Understanding College Costs — Federal Student Aid
  2. CFPB — Paying for College Resources — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics — College Tuition CPI — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  4. College Board — Annual Trends in College Pricing — College Board
  5. IRS — Education Tax Credits and Deductions — Internal Revenue Service