College Cost Calculator
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Per year, all-in (tuition, room, board)
years
years
% / year
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%
Result
Enter your values, then select Calculate.
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Why tuition inflation outruns general inflation
College prices have historically risen several points faster than consumer inflation, so a "5%" assumption is a common planning compromise — adjust it to your target school’s recent history. The total shown is the sum of each year’s inflated cost, not today’s price multiplied by four, which is why early savings matter so much: money set aside compounds for every year before enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts in "cost of attendance"?
Tuition and fees plus room, board, books, and typical living expenses — the figure colleges publish. Using the all-in number avoids underfunding by a third or more.
Does this tell me how much to save per month?
It shows the gap at enrollment. Divide that gap by the months remaining (using a savings or 529 plan calculator for growth) to get a monthly target.