College Cost Calculator

Project total 4-year college costs with tuition inflation. See in-state, out-of-state, and private comparisons.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: FSA

Years of College
College Type
Room & Board

Today's Annual Cost

$25,700.00

Total (Today's Prices)

$102,800.00

Projected Total Cost

$167,580.21

in 13 years

529 Monthly Savings

$711.75

at 6% return

Year-by-Year Projected Cost

Year 1$19,148.35 tuition + $19,090.94 housing = $39,791.61
Year 2$19,914.28 tuition + $19,663.67 housing = $41,161.32
Year 3$20,710.85 tuition + $20,253.58 housing = $42,579.47
Year 4$21,539.28 tuition + $20,861.18 housing = $44,047.81

College Type Comparison (Total Projected Cost)

In-State Public$167,580.21
Out-of-State Public$266,569.66
Private$404,447.81

2026 Average Annual Costs

  • In-state public tuition: ~$11,500 | Out-of-state: ~$25,500 | Private: ~$45,000
  • Room & board: ~$13,000 on-campus | ~$12,000 off-campus
  • Tuition inflation: ~4% per year historically
  • 529 plans offer tax-free growth for qualified education expenses

Use the College Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Sticker prices on a four-year degree climb year after year, and projecting the full bill ahead of time is the only way to plan for it honestly. With tuition and fees at public four-year institutions projected to average roughly $11,560 for in-state and $27,020 for out-of-state students in 2026, the gap between today's cost and the cost four years out can be substantial.

The projection starts with your chosen school's tuition, fees, room, and board, then compounds an average annual inflation rate across four years; the default of 5% reflects long-run historical trends. On top of that, it layers in estimated spending on books, supplies, and personal expenses so the figure covers the whole cost of attendance rather than tuition alone.

Real outlays will land above or below this number depending on scholarships, financial aid, and how a given student actually spends. The trap worth avoiding is treating today's price as fixed: even modest annual increases compound into a meaningful shortfall by senior year, which is exactly where families tend to come up short.

Example: In-State Public University for Fall 2026

  1. 1 Input: Initial In-State Tuition & Fees ($11,560), Room & Board ($12,000), Books & Supplies ($1,200), Personal Expenses ($2,500), Annual Inflation Rate (5%). Select 'In-State' for comparison.
  2. 2 Calculate: The tool projects Year 1 costs, then applies the 5% inflation rate to tuition, fees, room, and board for Years 2, 3, and 4, keeping books and personal expenses constant. All four years are summed.
  3. 3 Result: Total estimated 4-year cost for an in-state public university under these assumptions would be approximately $110,650. This includes all projected increases.
  4. 4 Context: This total can then be compared to similar projections for out-of-state public institutions (e.g., ~$205,000) and private universities (e.g., ~$270,000), highlighting the significant financial differences between institution types.

Source: FSA · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does college cost in 2026?
Average annual costs in 2026 are approximately $11,500 for in-state public tuition and fees, $24,000 for out-of-state public, and $43,000 for private universities. Room and board adds $12,000-$16,000 per year.
How much will college cost in 10 years?
With tuition inflation averaging 3-5% annually, a school costing $25,000/year today will cost roughly $33,000-$41,000 per year in 10 years. A 4-year degree starting in 2036 could total $135,000-$170,000 at a public university.
How much should I save for college per month?
For a newborn targeting a 4-year public university, saving $300-$500/month in a 529 plan with average investment returns should cover most or all of the projected cost. Starting later requires higher monthly contributions.

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