U.S. Colleges Net Price Calculator

Frequently asked questions

• What is a net price calculator?

  

  It’s a tool that helps you see what a college might cost after financial aid. You answer a few questions, and it gives you a rough estimate of your out-of-pocket cost. Just know it’s not exact; real aid offers may vary, and most calculators don’t include loans or work-study.

• How to use this tool?

  

  Our college net price calculator is easy to use. Follow these steps:

  1. Use the left panel to choose your income range, residency status, living situation, and more.
  2. See a list of universities that match your filters.
  3. Check the boxes next to the universities you want to compare — you can choose 2.
  4. See actual net prices, tuition and fees, total cost of attendance, average financial aid, graduation and acceptance rates, and other key stats.

  Explore our research-backed article on U.S. universities, complete with infographics on affordability, financial aid, admissions, and other insights.

• What does net cost mean?

  

  Net cost is your real cost to attend college. It’s the full price (like tuition and housing), minus the free money you get from scholarships or grants. So it’s what you actually have to pay.

• Can I compare two universities side by side?

  

  Yes, our net price calculator lets you compare two colleges at a time. That’s how you stay focused and pay attention to all the details.

• Does this calculator replace FAFSA or university financial aid estimates?

  

  No, this tuition calculator helps you get a general sense of costs and aid, but real numbers come from FAFSA and each school’s financial aid office. For exact estimates, you’ll still need to go through the official process.

• How accurate is a net price calculator?

  

  Our calculator is built on official National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data.
  It uses the latest numbers on tuition, fees, financial aid, and other key details reported directly by colleges to give you a reliable estimate. For your exact cost, you’ll still need to complete the FAFSA and apply to the school.

• How often is the data updated?

  

  The data is updated once a year — first with provisional numbers, then finalized later. Our cost of attendance calculator stays in step with those updates, so everything you see is current. At the moment, the official data covers 2023–2024.

• What grants are offered to students?

  

  Pell Grant (average)

  • A federal grant for undergraduates with high financial need
  • Based on family income (FAFSA required)
  • Does not need to be repaid

  Other Federal Grants (average)

  • Federal grants in addition to Pell
  • Usually need-based
  • Do not need to be repaid

  Institutional Grants

  • Money provided directly by the university, such as scholarships or need-based awards
  • Often the largest source of help after federal aid
  • The amount you get can depend on your family’s finances or your academic performance

  Total Average Grant Aid

  • The average amount of all grants, including federal, state, and institutional, as reported by the school
  • This total is taken off the cost of attendance to give you your estimated net price