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College Costs
  •  Direct and Indirect Costs
  •  Cost of College
  •  School Affordability Analyzer


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Understanding College Costs


While researching possible schools, pay careful attention to each school's cost. Can you and your family afford it?

When considering how much college is going to cost, remember to factor in other expenses that may crop up. In addition to tuition, you'll be responsible for room and board, transportation, fees, books, and personal expenses.

To accurately assess the cost of a college, you need to know:

  • The sticker price.
  • How much financial aid you will receive.

Consider two schools:

  • College A charges $10,000 a year for tuition and room and board.
  • College B charges $20,000 a year.

Which college has the higher price tag? The answer seems obvious: College B.

Which college will cost you more? If College A offers no financial aid while College B offers $15,000, you will pay less for College B (even though it has the higher price tag).

The price of college and what's in the bill:

 
 

Tools

School Search Tool
School Affordability Analyzer


Interesting Fact

Each fall, media reports the ever-increasing cost of a college education. What these headlines don’t mention is that, while the cost has increased, so has the amount of financial aid


Sallie Mae How to Pay for College: A Practical Guide for Families

Sallie Mae
How to Pay for College:
A Practical Guide for Families

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