Enter course and fee details
Formula used
Tuition = Credits × Cost per credit.
Lab fees = Lab courses × Lab fee per course.
Subtotal (per term) = Tuition + Mandatory fees + Optional living costs.
Discount value = Subtotal × (Discount % ÷ 100).
After aid = max(0, Subtotal − Discount value − Scholarship).
Tax = Tax base × (Tax % ÷ 100).
Grand total = (After aid + Tax) × Number of terms.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your credits and cost per credit for one term.
- Add fees from your university invoice or catalog.
- Include optional costs like housing or meals if relevant.
- Apply discounts and scholarship amounts per term.
- Set tax percent only if your fees are taxed.
- Click Estimate Fees to view results and downloads.
Example data table
Illustrative scenarios for planning.| Scenario | Credits | Cost/Credit | Fees | Aid | Estimated Total/Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time, no housing | 15 | USD 250 | USD 220 | USD 300 | USD 3,670 |
| Part-time, low fees | 9 | USD 220 | USD 120 | USD 0 | USD 2,100 |
| Full-time with housing | 16 | USD 260 | USD 280 | USD 500 | USD 6,000 |
Tip: Replace example figures with your official fee schedule for better accuracy.
Credits drive tuition math
Tuition is usually the largest component because it scales linearly with credits. For example, 12 credits at 250 per credit equals 3,000 per term, while 15 credits raises tuition to 3,750. If the per-credit rate is 320, the same 3-credit change adds 960. This sensitivity helps you test “add one class” decisions before registration closes.
Mandatory fees shape true price
Students often underestimate fixed charges like registration, technology, exam, and payment-plan fees. Even modest fees can add 150–400 per term, which is 4–12% of tuition for many mid-range credit prices. Some schools charge program fees that do not scale with credits, so part-time students feel a higher percentage impact. Enter them separately so the breakdown matches an invoice layout.
Labs and materials vary by program
Lab-based courses commonly add per-course fees for equipment, facilities, or consumables. If two lab courses carry 35 each, that is 70 on top of materials like books or kits. Materials can range from 50 for digital texts to 300+ for specialized kits, especially in design and health programs. Tracking lab count and a per-lab fee makes STEM plans more realistic.
Aid and discounts change net cost
Scholarships, employer support, or early-payment discounts reduce the subtotal before tax. A 10% discount on a 4,200 subtotal saves 420; add a 300 scholarship and the net drops to 3,480 before tax. Because aid rules differ, the calculator lets you model a flat per-term award and compare offers that renew each semester. Use the tax setting only if your local invoice applies it.
Term planning improves budgeting
Multi-term planning turns per-term estimates into a complete study budget. If your total per term is 3,600 and you expect two terms, the grand estimate becomes 7,200. Add optional living costs only when relevant; housing and meals can exceed tuition in some cities. Export CSV for spreadsheets, or PDF for approvals, then revisit inputs when credits or fees change. Many students set a 5–10% buffer for price changes and late fees. If you commute, replace housing with transport and parking. The breakdown clearly highlights line items worth reducing before you commit financially, and helps set realistic payment timelines.
FAQs
1) Should I enter costs per term or per year?
Use per-term numbers for the cleanest estimate. If you only have annual amounts, divide by the number of terms your school bills each year.
2) What if my school charges a flat program fee?
Add that amount to registration, technology, or materials fees so it appears in the breakdown. Flat fees affect part-time students more because tuition is lower.
3) How do I model scholarships that renew each semester?
Enter the scholarship as a per-term amount. If the award changes later, update the number and rerun the estimate to refresh the per-term and grand totals.
4) Does the discount percent apply before or after aid?
The calculator applies the discount to the per-term subtotal first, then subtracts scholarship/aid. This mirrors common early-payment or institutional discount policies.
5) When should I enable tax?
Only enable tax if your invoices show taxes on tuition or fees in your jurisdiction. Choose the tax base option that matches how your institution calculates it.
6) Can I export the results for approvals or budgeting?
Yes. After you estimate, use Download CSV for spreadsheets or Download PDF for sharing. Printing also works well for saving a quick hard copy.