Know what goes into the total
What could college cost you?
Put tuition, everyday expenses and confirmed grants in one place. See an annual estimate and the total for your planned years of study. All amounts are in U.S. dollars.
The cost after your entered grants
Your annual and full-program totals will appear here after you enter your figures. Use the estimate to compare an aid offer or start a conversation with a parent or counselor.
Add your next steps to a college plan →How the estimate works
Annual costs = tuition and required fees + housing and meals + other expenses. Subtract your entered grants and scholarships, with the result floored at zero. Multiply by your planned years to get the full-program estimate.
Use your aid offer, not a hoped-for award
Include grants and scholarships you expect to receive each year based on your offer and renewal conditions. Loans are financing, so do not enter them as grants. Add books, transport, supplies, insurance or other required expenses to the other-costs field.
A budget estimate is different from a loan balance
The result is the estimated cost after the grants you enter. Savings, work income and family contributions may cover some of it. This calculation holds annual costs and aid constant and excludes inflation and loan interest. Confirm each year’s actual charges and aid with the institution.