Estimate the full cost of a college education including tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses. See year-by-year projections with tuition inflation to plan your finances.
Transportation, clothing, entertainment
Average is ~4% per year
Total Estimated Cost
$115,504
Total Tuition & Fees
$46,711
Total Room & Board
$53,081
Total Books & Supplies
$5,096
Total Personal
$10,616
| Year | Tuition | Room & Board | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11,000 | $12,500 | $3,700 | $27,200 |
| 2 | $11,440 | $13,000 | $3,848 | $28,288 |
| 3 | $11,898 | $13,520 | $4,002 | $29,420 |
| 4 | $12,374 | $14,061 | $4,162 | $30,596 |
From birth
$298/mo
Start saving 18 years before
Assumes 6% annual return
Age 8
$705/mo
Start saving 10 years before
Assumes 6% annual return
Age 13
$1,655/mo
Start saving 5 years before
Assumes 6% annual return
The cost of attendance (COA) includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. This is the figure colleges use to determine financial aid eligibility. Our calculator covers all these categories so you get the full picture.
College tuition has historically increased at about 4–6% per year, outpacing general inflation. Factors include rising faculty costs, campus expansion, technology upgrades, and reduced state funding for public schools. Our calculator applies your chosen inflation rate to project realistic year-over-year increases.
As of recent data, the average total cost for 4 years is roughly $110,000 at a public in-state school, $180,000 at a public out-of-state school, and $230,000+ at a private university. These figures include tuition, room, board, and living expenses. Actual costs vary widely by school and location.
Strategies include attending community college for the first two years, applying for scholarships and grants, choosing in-state public schools, working part-time, living off campus after freshman year, buying used textbooks or using open-source materials, and graduating in four years (or fewer) to avoid extra semesters of tuition.
College Savings Calculator
Project future college costs and see whether your current savings plan is on track. Factor in tuition inflation, investment returns, and different school types to get a realistic picture.
Financial Aid Calculator
Estimate your Expected Family Contribution and potential financial aid eligibility. Enter your household financial information to see a rough estimate of grants and aid you may qualify for.