College Cost Projector
Project 4-year college cost from current tuition, years to enrollment, and annual tuition inflation.
Returns projected total and monthly savings needed.
Total college cost goes far beyond tuition. A complete 4-year estimate must include tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and personal expenses — and account for annual tuition inflation.
The base formula (without inflation): 4-Year Cost = Annual Cost × 4
With annual tuition inflation (typically 3–5%/year): Total Cost = C₁ + C₁(1+r) + C₁(1+r)² + C₁(1+r)³
Where C₁ = Year 1 cost and r = annual cost increase rate.
2024 average annual costs (College Board data):
- Public 4-year in-state: $28,840/year (tuition + fees + room/board)
- Public 4-year out-of-state: $46,730/year
- Private nonprofit 4-year: $60,420/year
Worked example (Private university, 4% annual increase): Year 1: $60,000 Year 2: $60,000 × 1.04 = $62,400 Year 3: $62,400 × 1.04 = $64,896 Year 4: $64,896 × 1.04 = $67,492 Total: $254,788
This is the sticker price. Net price after scholarships and grants is typically much lower.
Other costs often overlooked:
- Textbooks and supplies: $1,200–$1,500/year
- Transportation: $1,000–$4,000/year (flights home, car costs)
- Personal expenses: $2,000–$3,000/year
- Technology (laptop, software): $800–$1,500 one-time
Financial aid impact: Average grant aid at private universities is ~$23,000/year, reducing effective cost significantly. Always compare net price (after aid) not sticker price when comparing schools.
Student loan repayment reality: Every $10,000 borrowed at 6.5% on a 10-year plan = ~$113/month in loan payments after graduation.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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