🎯 College Cost Estimator: What You’ll Actually Pay
Your student’s dream school lists a $40,000 sticker price — but that’s not what most families actually pay. This tool estimates your real cost — what you’ll likely pay after scholarships and federal aid — based on your income, test scores, and where you’re applying.
Note: This is not a guarantee — but it’ll help you avoid false hope (or unnecessary panic) as you plan ahead. It’s a rough estimate designed to show how test scores and income shape what you’re likely to pay — especially at public universities where merit aid is predictable.
What this doesn’t include: This doesn’t factor in competitive scholarships, local/private awards, or aid you have to apply separately for — just the kind of merit and need-based aid colleges offer automatically based on your student’s profile. It also uses national averages and does not include room and board. Think of it as a map, not a promise.
đź“Š Estimate What You’ll Actually Pay
Use this tool to estimate how much you’ll actually pay after aid, based on your family’s income, your student’s test scores, and where you’re applying.
This tool is best for: Families applying to public universities, where aid is often based on GPA, test scores, and income.
If you’re applying to private colleges or highly selective schools, your actual costs may vary significantly — especially if the college uses the CSS Profile or offers limited merit aid.
Estimate My Cost
These numbers reflect estimated tuition-only costs after typical aid — housing, meals, and fees not included.
Want to go deeper? Try your top college’s Net Price Calculator for a school-specific estimate, or read our guide to understanding Net Price vs. EFC.
🎓 Learn how to actually reduce college costs — not just apply for aid.
👉 Visit our Scholarships & Financial Aid page for a real-world strategy that makes sense.