Tuition Cost Calculator
Enter your cost per credit hour, credits per semester, and number of semesters — plus optional annual room and board — to calculate your total estimated program cost.
How the Tuition Cost formula works
Tuition and total cost:
Tuition per semester = Cost per credit × Credits per semester Total tuition = Tuition per semester × Number of semesters Total cost = Total tuition + (Annual room and board × Years)
Step-by-step calculation
- Multiply cost per credit hour by credits taken per semester to find tuition per semester.
- Multiply by the total number of semesters in the program.
- Add room and board costs, multiplied by the number of years, for the full estimated cost.
Worked example
$450/credit, 15 credits/semester, 8 semesters (4 years), with $12,000/year room and board: Tuition per semester = 450×15 = $6,750. Total tuition = 6,750×8 = $54,000. Total cost = 54,000 + (12,000×4) = $102,000.
Frequently asked questions
Does this account for financial aid or scholarships?
No — this calculates the sticker-price cost before any aid. Subtract expected grants, scholarships, and aid from the total to estimate your actual out-of-pocket cost.
Should I use in-state or out-of-state tuition rates?
Use whichever rate applies to you — public universities often charge significantly more for out-of-state or international students, so check your specific institution's published per-credit rate for your residency status.