College Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of college including tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Plan your education budget with financial aid.

College Cost Summary

Total Cost

$122,468

4 years with inflation

Avg Cost Per Year (with inflation)$30,617
After Financial Aid$90,468
Monthly Loan Payment$1,027

School Type

Based on 2024-25 College Board averages

Annual Costs

Financial Assumptions

4%
0%10%
6.5%
0%12%

Cost Summary

Avg Cost Per Year (with inflation)

$30,617

4-Year Total

$122,468

After Aid (4 years)

$90,468

Monthly Loan Payment

$1,027

10-year repayment

Annual Cost Breakdown

Year-by-Year Breakdown

YearTuitionRoom & BoardOtherTotalCumulative
Year 1$11,260$12,770$4,810$28,840$28,840
Year 2$11,710$13,281$5,002$29,994$58,834
Year 3$12,179$13,812$5,202$31,193$90,027
Year 4$12,666$14,365$5,411$32,441$122,468

Money-Saving Tips

Before College

  • • Take AP/IB classes for college credit
  • • Apply to 10+ scholarships
  • • Consider community college first
  • • Compare in-state vs out-of-state costs

During College

  • • Buy/rent used textbooks
  • • Live off-campus or at home
  • • Use student discounts
  • • Graduate in 4 years (or less)

Quick Answer

Average 4-year college costs (2024-25): Public in-state ~$27,000/year, public out-of-state ~$46,000/year, private ~$58,000/year (including tuition, room, board, fees, books). Total 4-year cost: $108K-$232K before aid. Calculate: (Tuition + Room + Board + Fees + Books) x Years - Financial Aid = Net Cost.

Key Facts

  • 2024-25 average public in-state: ~$11,000 tuition + $16,000 room/board
  • 2024-25 average public out-of-state: ~$23,000 tuition + $16,000 room/board
  • 2024-25 average private: ~$42,000 tuition + $16,000 room/board
  • Books and supplies: ~$1,200/year average
  • Personal expenses and transportation: ~$3,000-5,000/year
  • College costs increase ~3-5% annually
  • Average student graduates with ~$30,000 in loans
  • FAFSA deadline: varies by state, often January-March

Frequently Asked Questions

For 2024-25: Public in-state averages $11,260 tuition, private universities average $43,350. Total cost of attendance (including room, board, books) can be $27,000-$90,000+ per year depending on school type and location.
Total Cost of Attendance (COA) includes: tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Schools publish official COA figures. Don't forget hidden costs like health insurance, lab fees, and technology fees.
College costs historically increase 3-5% annually, outpacing general inflation. Over 4 years, expect costs to be 12-20% higher by graduation than when you started. Some years have seen 6-8% increases.
Options include: federal grants (Pell Grant up to $7,395), state grants, institutional scholarships, private scholarships, federal loans (subsidized/unsubsidized), PLUS loans, work-study, and private loans. Complete FAFSA to qualify.
Strategies: attend community college first (transfer), choose in-state public schools, apply for every scholarship, live off-campus or at home, buy used textbooks, graduate in 4 years (or less with AP credits), consider employer tuition assistance.