Calculator inputs
Use the form below to estimate first-year net price, total program cost, borrowing need, and a future repayment check.
Example data table
Use this sample table to compare how sticker price and aid can change affordability across college choices.
| College Type | Annual Sticker Price | Annual Aid | Family + Student Resources | Estimated First Year Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College | $11,200 | $4,800 | $4,500 | $1,900 |
| In-State Public University | $29,700 | $9,500 | $13,000 | $7,200 |
| Private College | $54,300 | $24,000 | $16,500 | $13,800 |
Formula used
Tuition + Fees + Room and Board + Books + Transportation + Personal Expenses + Other Annual Expenses
Annual Cost Before Aid + One-Time Startup Costs
Grants and Scholarships + Work-Study + Family Contribution + Student Savings
Max(0, First Year Sticker Price − First Year Resources)
Sum of yearly costs adjusted by annual inflation, plus one-time startup costs in year one
Max(0, Projected Program Cost − Total Projected Resources)
Payment = Principal × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)−n) where r is monthly interest rate and n is total monthly payments
Reverse the loan payment formula using your allowed payment share of expected starting monthly income
How to use this calculator
- Enter your household income and the school’s annual costs.
- Add grants, scholarships, work-study, family help, and student savings.
- Set the program length, inflation rate, loan rate, and repayment term.
- Enter an expected starting salary after graduation.
- Click Calculate affordability to view net price, total gap, chart, and payment estimates.
- Use the export buttons to save your results as CSV or PDF.
- Change the numbers to compare colleges, aid offers, or housing options.
Frequently asked questions
1) What does affordability mean in this calculator?
Affordability means the school’s net price and likely borrowing fit your family budget and your expected post-graduation repayment capacity.
2) Does a high scholarship always make a college affordable?
Not always. A strong scholarship can still leave high housing, fee, travel, or borrowing costs that make the total plan difficult.
3) Why does the calculator ask for expected starting salary?
It helps estimate whether future monthly loan payments are realistic compared with likely entry-level earnings after graduation.
4) Should I include living costs?
Yes. Living costs often drive affordability. Room, meals, transportation, and personal expenses can materially change the final net price.
5) How is inflation handled?
The calculator increases annual costs each year using your inflation assumption, which helps reflect rising tuition and living expenses.
6) Does this replace a college’s financial aid offer?
No. It is a planning tool. Always compare your results with each school’s official cost of attendance and aid award notice.
7) Should I borrow the full funding gap?
Not automatically. First explore grants, cheaper housing, more affordable schools, payment plans, and realistic work income before borrowing more.
8) Can I compare multiple colleges with this page?
Yes. Re-enter each school’s numbers and export the results so you can compare net price, debt, and repayment side by side.