Tuition Cost Calculator
Total four-year cost after aid and inflation.
Enter your values
Enter the tuition per year in $.
Enter the living cost per year in $.
Enter the grants per year in $.
Enter the years you are working with.
Enter the tuition inflation in %.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Net total cost
- $82,162
- Gross cost
- $106,162
- Total aid
- $24,000
- Average per year
- $20,540
Quick answer
Net degree cost is tuition plus living expenses minus grants and scholarships, inflated each year.
Year n cost = base × (1 + inflation)^n
At a glance
| What it does | Total four-year cost after aid and inflation. |
|---|---|
| Category | Education |
| Inputs needed | Tuition per year, Living cost per year, Grants per year, Years, Tuition inflation |
| Main output | Net total cost |
| Formula | Year n cost = base × (1 + inflation)^n |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Tuition Cost Calculator
- 1Enter annual tuition and living costs.
- 2Enter guaranteed grants or scholarships.
- 3Set an inflation rate for future years.
Inputs explained
- Tuition per year($)
- Enter the tuition per year in $.
- Living cost per year($)
- Enter the living cost per year in $.
- Grants per year($)
- Enter the grants per year in $.
- Years
- Enter the years you are working with.
- Tuition inflation(%)
- Enter the tuition inflation in %.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Tuition per year14000 $
- Living cost per year11000 $
- Grants per year6000 $
- Years4
- Tuition inflation4 %
Results
- Net total cost$82,162
- Gross cost$106,162
- Total aid$24,000
- Average per year$20,540
Frequently asked questions
What inflation should I use?
Tuition has risen about 3–5% a year over the last decade.
Should I include books?
Yes, fold books and fees into living costs.
What do I need to enter into the Tuition Cost Calculator?
Just 5 values: tuition per year, living cost per year, grants per year, years, tuition inflation. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Tuition Cost Calculator work out the answer?
Net degree cost is tuition plus living expenses minus grants and scholarships, inflated each year. It applies the formula Year n cost = base × (1 + inflation)^n and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Tuition Cost Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.