Cost of Attendance
EducationGlossary term
Definition
The total estimated cost of attending a college for one year, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Colleges use the cost of attendance to determine your financial need by subtracting your Expected Family Contribution. Understanding the full cost of attendance helps you compare colleges more accurately beyond just their listed tuition prices.
Related terms
- TuitionThe amount of money charged by a school for instruction and academic services, which varies widely between public and private institutions and between in-state and out-of-state students at public colleges. Tuition is typically the largest component of the cost of attendance and has been rising faster than inflation for decades. Financial aid, scholarships, and 529 plans can all be used to help cover tuition costs.
- Room and BoardThe combined cost of housing and meal plans at a college or university, which is a significant portion of the overall cost of attendance. Room and board costs vary depending on whether you live on campus, off campus, or at home, and the type of meal plan you select. Many colleges require first-year students to live on campus and purchase a meal plan.
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)A number calculated from the information you provide on the FAFSA that represents how much your family is expected to contribute toward your education costs for the year. Colleges subtract your EFC from their cost of attendance to determine your financial need and aid package. Since the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the EFC has been replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which works similarly but with updated calculations.
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