What is Included in “Cost of Attendance?”

Key takeaways

• Cost of attendance is the total cost of one academic school year in college. It includes tuition, fees, textbooks, room and board, food, transportation, and miscellaneous costs.
• COA varies for each student and may change depending on factors like enrollment status, living situation, location, degree program, and institution type.
• To reduce the overall cost of attendance, students can apply for financial aid, scholarships, and grants, live at home or off campus, and look for ways to save money, like buying used textbooks or cutting back spending.

While often misunderstood as just college tuition, the cost of attendance, or COA, actually represents the full cost of attending college for one year. It’s important to understand what all is included in the cost of attendance so you can prepare for all the possible expenses ahead. Here’s the rundown on what cost of attendance is.

What is “cost of attendance” (COA)?

Cost of attendance is the estimated total amount it will cost you to attend a specific college for one full academic year. This takes into account the following:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Textbooks and school supplies
• Food
• Transportation
• Personal and miscellaneous expenses
• Loan fees, disability, and dependent care

Is the cost of attendance the same for everyone?

The cost of attendance for any one college will be different for every student. The COA may change during a student’s enrollment based on the following factors:

• Enrollment status: Those enrolled as full-time students often have higher expenses than those who are part-time.
• Degree program: Graduate programs typically have different tuition rates than undergrad programs.
• Residency status: Out-of-state students usually pay a higher tuition than in-state students.
• Living situation: Whether you live on campus or off campus can affect your overall COA.
• Location: Colleges in larger cities tend to have more expensive housing, food, and transportation costs than those in rural areas.
• Institution: Private schools are often more expensive than public schools. Community colleges usually have much lower rates than both private and public universities.
• Personal expenses: Some students may spend more or less on miscellaneous expenses.

Let’s look at an example of the estimated cost of attendance for an undergraduate resident of Georgia attending the University of Georgia and living on campus:

Note: When looking at the cost of attendance on a college’s website, it is extremely important to ensure you are looking at the correct categories, including non-resident vs. resident, graduate vs. undergraduate, and on-campus vs. off-campus.

How is the cost of attendance calculated?

Thanks to the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 472, colleges are required to have the cost of attendance readily available to prospective students so they can plan for their educational expenses and apply for financial aid. Every year, colleges may adjust their COA to reflect any changes related to tuition, inflation, and other operating costs. While they have the authority to make COA changes, the costs should remain reasonable. In the last three years, college tuition alone at public four-year universities has increased by 3.21%.

Factors that determine your school’s estimated COA

Six major expense categories are calculated into the total COA, including direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are billed by the school (tuition, fees, and room and board), while indirect costs (textbooks, supplies, food, transportation, and personal expenses) are not.

1. Tuition and fees

Tuition is the largest chunk in the cost of attendance. There is a different tuition price for in-state and out-of-state students. Generally, students pay much lower fees when attending an in-state college. Although you may see the term “tuition and fees” phrased together, they mean separate things:

• Tuition: The cost of instruction. This is calculated based on the average number of credit hours taken per semester. It is important to note that some tuition prices may vary depending on your chosen major.
• Fees: Additional charges you pay for services and resources you use while attending. This could be “green” fees for energy costs, gym access fees, or even campus maintenance fees.

2. Textbooks and supplies

Cost of attendance also includes books and potential supplies, though this varies greatly from one major to another—and even from student to student. For example, an English major may have to spend more on books, while an Art major may need to spend more on supplies. Before attending college, you may want to figure out your personal estimated cost for the textbooks or supplies you’ll need. Your school’s website, Amazon, or other retailers all list prices for these items.

3. Room and board

This price reflected in the COA is for your dorm room and any expenses that might occur from living on campus. However, room and board costs can vary widely depending on your chosen accommodations. For example, a student’s room and board costs may be higher if they choose to rent an apartment or house off-campus. There are pros and cons of staying on-campus vs. living off campus, but it is up to you to determine which is best for your needs.

4. Food

Yes, food is a factor in a school’s COA. Though this price will vary for each student, schools typically base it on their meal plan options. Actual food expenses may differ depending on whether the student lives on or off campus, as well as their eating habits and budgeting choices.

5. Transportation

Many students often overlook transportation when calculating college expenses. Even if you’re staying in the dorm and don’t need to drive to classes, if you’ve taken your car to college, you’ll have to pay to park it on campus. If you’re staying off-campus, you’ll have to pay for transportation to and from class. You might be surprised at how fast parking fees and bus tickets can add up each year.

6. Miscellaneous costs

Several other smaller expenses come up during the course of the semester. For example, there’s laundry, cell phone bills, eating out, and other personal expenses. Colleges factor these expenses into their COA, but ultimately, a student’s lifestyle and spending habits determine how much this part of their COA will be.

How the cost of attendance affects financial aid

While the cost of attendance may seem like just another number, it’s one you definitely need to know and understand—especially regarding financial aid. This is because your COA determines how much federal and institutional financial aid you’re eligible to receive.

To be considered for financial aid, whether federal or institutional, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form asks for information regarding family income, family size, total taxes, and other financial details. This information is also used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI).

Cost of attendance (COA) — Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need

Once a college approves your application, they will send you the final cost of attendance. Then, based on your SAI, the amount of aid you’ve already been awarded, and the overall COA, the school will determine your financial need. If a school has a higher COA, you could be eligible for more financial aid for that particular school.

What can federal student loans cover when it comes to COA?

There are two types of federal student loans:

• Direct subsidized loans: These are loans given to students with financial need. Interest does not accrue, and students will start repaying their debt six months after they finish school.
• Direct unsubsidized loans: These are loans dispersed to students who do not qualify as need-based. Interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is given.

Whether you qualify for direct subsidized or direct unsubsidized, the money is first paid directly to the institution for tuition and fees. The remaining funds are refunded to the student to cover any other educational expenses included in the cost of attendance. This includes books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses.

Are there steps students can take to lower the overall cost of attendance?

Absolutely! Here are some tips to help reduce your COA:

• Apply for scholarships and grants: Winning a scholarship or grant is a great way to earn free money and reduce the cost of attendance.
• Choose your housing carefully: If it’s an option, living off-campus can save money, especially if you’re splitting rent with roommates.
• Follow a budget: Create a budget and stick to it! You may even find ways to cut back on personal expenses that help you save more.
• Buy used textbooks: Used textbooks can help you save on costs. Sometimes, your professor may not even require the textbook, so ask before you buy.
• Live at home: If you live close to your school, you may opt to live at home with your parents.

Consider the cost of attendance before committing to college

Knowing your cost of attendance before choosing a college can help you avoid stress and plan well. When you understand the total cost associated with attending a school, you can find ways to make your dream school more affordable without cost standing in the way of your goals.

Knowing the cost of attendance at your ideal school helps you make more informed decisions. College Raptor’s College Match tool makes it easy to explore schools and compare costs so you can find the perfect fit for you.