College affordability estimate
Net Price Calculator
Use this Net Price Calculator to combine the full cost of attendance and subtract gift aid. Then review your first-year net price and how it may change across multiple years.
Calculator
Estimate your college net price
Enter published costs and gift aid. Do not include loans or work-study as aid.
Year-by-year net price
| Year | Sticker price | Gift aid | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $36,900 | $12,000 | $24,900 |
| Year 2 | $38,007 | $12,000 | $26,007 |
| Year 3 | $39,147 | $12,000 | $27,147 |
| Year 4 | $40,322 | $12,000 | $28,322 |
| Total | $154,376 | $48,000 | $106,376 |
About This Net Price Calculator
Tuition is only one part of paying for college. For example, housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses can substantially increase the complete cost of attendance. The Net Price Calculator first combines those expenses to create a clearer sticker-price estimate.
Next, the Net Price Calculator subtracts federal grants, state or provincial grants, institutional aid, and private scholarships. As a result, the estimate separates genuine price reductions from loans or work-study and provides a more realistic starting point for affordability planning.
How to Use the Net Price Calculator
Follow these steps for an accurate Net Price result
1Choose a Currency and Study Period
Select the currency, enter the expected number of study years, and set an annual increase for future college costs.
2Enter the Full Cost of Attendance
Add tuition and fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses for the first year.
3Enter Grants and Scholarships
Add federal, state or provincial, institutional, and private gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
4Review the First-Year Net Price
The calculator subtracts annual gift aid from the first-year sticker price and shows how much of the cost the aid covers.
5Check the Multi-Year Projection
Review how increasing costs and fixed annual gift aid affect net price in each later year.
How the Net Price Calculator Works
Sticker Price
All entered education and living expenses are combined into the first-year cost of attendance.
Gift Aid
Federal, regional, institutional, and private grants or scholarships are added together.
Net Price
Annual gift aid is subtracted from sticker price, with the result never falling below zero.
Multi-Year Estimate
Costs rise by the selected annual rate, while gift aid remains fixed unless you change it.
Important Net Price Notes
- Do not count loans as aid that reduces net price because borrowed money must be repaid.
- Do not count work-study as an upfront discount because the award is earned through employment.
- Confirm whether every grant or scholarship renews and whether academic or enrollment conditions apply.
- Use the school's official calculator and financial aid office for institution-specific eligibility estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about calculating GPA at Net Price Calculator
Still have questions?
For official GPA rules and academic policies, contact the Net Price 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.
- Net Price Calculator Center
U.S. Department of Education
Find a school's own net price calculator for a more tailored estimate.
- Understanding net price in aid offers
Federal Student Aid
Check how grants and scholarships reduce the cost of attendance.
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