College Net Price Calculator
Estimate the true cost of college after grants and scholarships using federal data
Select Colleges to Compare
Choose up to 3 colleges to compare their estimated net prices. Our estimates are based on federal IPEDS data.
Available Colleges
University of Virginia
Virginia • Public
In-State: $18,059
Out-of-State: $53,790
Virginia Tech
Virginia • Public
In-State: $14,255
Out-of-State: $35,653
Harvard University
Massachusetts • Private
In-State: $56,550
Northern Virginia Community College
Virginia • Public
In-State: $4,650
Out-of-State: $10,350
Data Sources: Estimates based on federal IPEDS data and College Scorecard information. Data may be 1-2 years behind current academic year.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides simplified estimates for educational purposes only. Actual financial aid varies significantly by institution, student profile, and family circumstances. Financial aid calculations are complex and this tool cannot replicate the precision of institutional aid formulas. Always use each college's official Net Price Calculator for accurate, school-specific estimates and complete the FAFSA for actual aid determination.
Understanding College Net Price
The published "sticker price" of a college rarely reflects what a family actually pays. Grants, scholarships, and need-based aid can substantially reduce the real cost — sometimes making an expensive private school cheaper than an in-state public university for a given family's income level.
This calculator lets you compare up to three colleges side by side using federal IPEDS data averaged by income bracket, so you can set realistic expectations before applying and before diving into each school's own official Net Price Calculator.
How This Calculator Works
Select up to three colleges, then enter your family's income range, household size, state of residency, and living arrangement, followed by the student's GPA, SAT range, and any outside scholarships or savings. The calculator estimates each college's cost of attendance, applies averaged need-based and merit aid adjustments for your profile, and shows the resulting estimated net price and any remaining funding gap.