Understanding the costs
Determining the cost of college
The cost of attendance (COA) is the total amount to attend a college each year.
Each school determines its annual average COA using a formula established by Congress.
Don't forget: Your actual expenses will vary based on your child’s lifestyle.
Some expenses depend on your child’s choices
- Public or private school
- In-state or out-of-state school
- Living on campus, off campus, or at home
Some expenses, such as the cost of textbooks, are similar regardless of which school your child attends.
To find the COA of a college, visit the school’s website, look at its brochures, or use College Answer’s School Search Tool.
| Tuition |
$3,508 |
| Estimate for books |
$823 |
| Estimate for transportation |
$394 |
| Room and board |
$6,453 |
| Estimate for personal expenses |
$2,479 |
| Total cost of attendance |
$13,657 |
| Tuition |
$29,500 |
| Additional required fees |
$1,140 |
| Estimate for books/supplies |
$810 |
| Estimate for transportation |
$330 |
| Room and board allowance |
$8,435 |
| Estimate for personal expenses |
$1,010 |
| Total cost of attendance |
$41,225 |
Knowing the COA is only the first half of figuring out college costs. What really counts is how much you’ll pay out of pocket.
Evaluating affordability
Now that you have a ballpark figure of how much it may cost to send your child to college, learn how you may be able to afford it. You might be surprised.