Student finance calculator
College Cost Calculator
Use this College Cost Calculator to estimate the full cost of college across multiple years. Then subtract grants, scholarships, family support, student earnings, and savings to see the remaining amount you may need to cover.
Calculator
Enter your college cost estimate
Use annual amounts from a school estimate or financial aid offer whenever available.
Year-by-year estimate
| Year | Cost | Gift aid | Family + work | Savings | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $36,900 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $6,000 | $15,400 |
| Year 2 | $38,007 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $0 | $22,507 |
| Year 3 | $39,147 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $0 | $23,647 |
| Year 4 | $40,322 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $0 | $24,822 |
About This College Cost Calculator
A college budget includes more than tuition. For example, housing, meals, course materials, transportation, and personal expenses can make a large difference in the amount needed to complete a degree. The College Cost Calculator first combines these expenses into a first-year estimate and then projects them across the full period of study.
In addition, the College Cost Calculator applies grants and scholarships, family support, student earnings, and existing savings to the projected cost. As a result, you can see both the total cost and the remaining funding gap. Because gift aid is separated from other resources, the estimate can also prepare you for later comparisons between schools and potential loan options.
How to Use the College Cost Calculator
Follow these steps for an accurate Funding Gap result
1Choose the Currency and Number of Years
Select the currency for your estimate, enter the expected length of study, and set an annual cost increase for later years.
2Enter Annual College Costs
Add tuition and fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses for the first year.
3Add Funding That Does Not Need to Be Borrowed
Enter annual grants and scholarships, family contributions, work-study or student earnings, and any existing college savings.
4Review the Funding Gap
Compare the projected total cost with available funding. The remaining gap is the amount that may require more aid, additional income, payment plans, or borrowing.
5Check Each Academic Year
Use the year-by-year table to see how cost increases affect later years and when existing savings are applied.
How the College Cost Calculator Works
First-Year Cost
Tuition, housing, books, transportation, and personal expenses are added together.
Future-Year Cost
The annual increase compounds against the complete first-year cost for each later year.
Available Funding
Annual gift aid, family support, and work earnings are applied before college savings.
Funding Gap
The amount left after available funding is applied represents the remaining need, not a loan recommendation.
Important Planning Notes
- Published cost of attendance is an estimate; your actual housing, transportation, and personal expenses may differ.
- Some grants and scholarships require annual renewal, minimum enrollment, or satisfactory academic progress.
- Work-study is earned through employment and may not be available before bills are due.
- The funding gap is not automatically the amount you should borrow. Compare payment plans, additional aid, savings, and lower-cost options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about calculating GPA at College Cost Calculator
Still have questions?
For official GPA rules and academic policies, contact the College Cost Calculator Registrar's Office or your academic advisor.Official resources for checking your estimate
Use these sources to check terms, funding options, and the assumptions behind your estimate.
- Cost of attendance and financial aid terms
Federal Student Aid
Check what schools include in cost of attendance before entering your expenses.
- How to evaluate financial aid offers
Federal Student Aid
Compare your projected costs and funding with an actual school aid offer.
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Estimate fixed monthly payments, total interest, payoff time, and extra-payment savings.
Student Loan Payoff Calculator
Compare extra payments or a target term with your current student loan schedule.
Financial Aid Gap Calculator
Compare college costs with gift aid, loans, work-study, savings, and family resources.