College Net Price Calculator
Sticker prices rarely reflect what students actually pay. Enter your costs and gift aid to estimate the net price you will pay out of pocket each year, then compare scenarios as aid packages change.
| Total cost of attendance | |
|---|---|
| Total gift aid | |
| Net price |
Demystifying the real cost of college
Sticker shock is common for families researching higher education, yet the headline tuition number rarely reflects what a student will actually pay. Net price subtracts gift aid—grants and scholarships—from the total cost of attendance so you can compare schools on equal footing. Breaking down expenses also helps you plan for books, transportation, and personal costs often overlooked in early budgets.
Net price formula in MathML
The net price equals the sum of tuition , fees , room and board , books , and other costs minus grants and scholarships :
Loans and work-study help cover remaining costs but do not reduce net price because they require repayment or labor. By focusing on gift aid, the calculator shows what must come from savings, earnings, or borrowing.
| Expense | Example amount |
|---|---|
| Transportation | $900 |
| Personal & laundry | $600 |
| Technology fees | $350 |
| Meal plan upgrades | $450 |
Scenario comparisons
Aid packages change yearly. The scenario table helps you see how extra scholarships or reduced grants shift your out-of-pocket costs.
| Scenario | Gift aid | Net price |
|---|
Integrate with broader planning
Use this net price alongside long-term earnings projections. Compare majors with the college major earnings comparison calculator, set savings goals with the college savings goal calculator, and explore borrowing strategies through the student loan repayment calculator.