College Cost Calculator
College Cost Inputs
Cost Summary
| Total Cost (all years, with inflation) | — |
|---|---|
| Total at Today's Prices (no inflation) | — |
| Inflation Premium | — |
Projected Cost by Year
How to Use This College Cost Calculator
Sticker price today is not what you will pay in ten years when tuition has been climbing faster than groceries. Parents ask me for a single number to save toward—I start here with today's cost, years until enrollment, and a realistic inflation assumption.
- Enter current annual cost. Tuition, fees, room, and board at today's prices.
- Enter years until college starts. How long until the first enrollment year.
- Enter years in college. Typically 4 for a bachelor's degree.
- Enter annual inflation rate. College costs often rise faster than general CPI—many planners use 5% or higher.
- Press Calculate. Review total cost, total at today's prices, inflation premium, and year-by-year breakdown.
Model repayment after graduation with the Student Loan Calculator, or see how general inflation erodes purchasing power with the Inflation Calculator.
College Cost Formulas and Practical Applications
Each enrollment year compounds inflation from today's baseline. Year one is inflated by the full wait period; each subsequent year adds another year of growth.
Year-one projected cost
Year 1 = Current Cost × (1 + r)years until
At $25,000 today, 10 years out, and 5% inflation, year-one cost is about $40,750.
Total degree cost
Total = Σ Projected Annual Costyear
Four years starting at that level with continued 5% annual increases totals roughly $175,000 vs $100,000 at today's prices—a $75,000 inflation premium.
Savings planning
Use the inflation premium to size a 529 or other education fund target. Subtract expected grants and scholarships separately—the calculator models gross cost before aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in current annual cost?
Include tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board at today's prices. Subtract expected grants or scholarships separately if you model aid elsewhere.
How is each college year projected?
Year one cost equals current annual cost times one plus inflation rate raised to years until college starts. Each subsequent year compounds one more year of inflation.
What is the inflation premium?
Inflation premium is total projected cost minus total at today's prices. It shows how much extra you pay because costs rise each year.
What inflation rate should I use?
Historical college cost inflation has often exceeded general CPI. Many planners use 5 to 6 percent, but adjust to your target institution's trend.
Does this include financial aid?
No. Enter gross annual cost before aid. Model scholarships and grants as separate reductions if needed.