College Cost Estimator
The sticker price is just year one. Here's all four — and the loan after.
Year-by-year cost
| Year | Cost | Running total |
|---|
Estimates only — not financial advice. Aid, scholarships, and work income are not modeled; subtract them from costs.
How to estimate your true college cost
- Enter one year of costs. Tuition, room & board, books, and personal expenses.
- Set years and inflation. Four years at ~4% yearly growth is the default.
- Add savings and loan terms. What you have now, and the rate/term you'd borrow at.
- Press Calculate. Four-year total, borrowing need, and the monthly payment waiting after graduation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does four years of college really cost?
More than four times freshman year: with 4% annual inflation, senior year costs ~12% more than freshman year. This calculator compounds it properly.
How do I reduce what I need to borrow?
Grants and scholarships first (free money), then savings and part-time work, then federal loans before private ones — federal rates and protections are better.
What will my monthly payment be?
Roughly $110–$115 per $10,000 borrowed on a 10-year loan at 6%. The calculator gives your exact number.
Is the sticker price what I'll pay?
Rarely — subtract grants, scholarships, tax credits, and work income from the sticker price to get your net cost.
Should I use savings or borrow?
Compare your loan rate against what savings earn. At 6%+ loan rates, spending savings first usually wins — this page shows the borrowing side either way.
Is this financial advice?
No. Planning estimates only — aid offices quote exact figures.
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