College Affordability:
Using Net Price Calculators


It's important to understand that the price stated on a college's website is NOT the amount you will be responsible to pay. Colleges provide information on the price of tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation and other expenses to give you an estimate of what is known as their Cost of Attendance (COA).  

Looking at any college's full COA can be overwhelming-- some can exceed $70,000! The good news is that you will likely receive some amount of financial aid to help you pay for the different expenses. 

Instead of looking at the full sticker price, you should focus on the Net Price. The net price is the actual amount that a student and their family is responsible for paying after subtracting scholarships and grants. Scholarships and grants are forms of Gift Aid, or money that a student does not have to pay back.

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A Net Price Calculator (NPC) is available on every U.S. college and university’s website and allows you to enter your family's financial information to get an estimate of the financial aid you could receive and the net cost you might be expected pay. The net price provided by the NPC will give you an idea of what your family may need to pay for one year at that school. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate. Your actual financial aid and net cost will depend on each school’s resources and other scholarships you may be offered after you complete the official college and financial aid applications and are admitted.

Net price calculators are a great tool to use for every college on your list as your net price will vary from college to college. Also, it is common for coaches to ask you to complete a net price calculator for their college and send them the results. 

To get the most accurate estimate, it is important to add the most accurate information about your family's most recent financial information. Be sure to work with your guardians to get the necessary documents such as their latest income tax form. 

Ways to find a college's net price calculator
  1. Search for a college at the Net Price Calculator Center 
  2. Search for "Net Price Calculator" on a college's financial aid website
  3. Google: "College Name" Net Price Calculator
  4. Search for Colleges with The College Board's Net Price Calculator

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Complete Net Price Calculators for all colleges you are seriously considering using your guardians' latest tax information. Some calculators are more accurate than others, but it is still a great way to estimate potential costs to you and your family. Share your results with your mentors by inputting them below.

Helpful Tip: If the colleges you want to compare use the College Board’s Net Price Calculator, you can create a College Board account and save your information. Then you can compare the net prices of various schools without having to re-enter your personal and financial information
College Name Cost of Attendance Gift Aid Net Price
The estimated cost of attending this college including tuition & fees, room & board, books, transportation and other expenses.
Estimated amount of free money such as grants and scholarships you may receive at this college. Do not include student loans.
The final amount you and your family may be responsible to pay out of pocket and with loans.
Your Full Name Your Email