What Is a Net Price Calculator?

The Federal Department of Education has designed the Net Price Calculator to help students and parents estimate what the real cost will be before a student actually applies to college. 

Net price calculators are intended to provide early estimates to guide students' and parents' decision-making but do not take the place of the financial aid application process. A student's actual awards may vary based on the program, scholarship availability and artistic merit. The Net Price Calculator does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state residents, and the estimate may include California State Grants that students may not be eligible for.



How Does the Net Price Calculator Work?

To estimate net cost, the Net Price Calculator looks at the college's cost of attendance and your financial aid eligibility.

The calculations will be based on the basic formula of price of attendance minus grant aid. The calculator will generate an estimate based on your unique information and what similar students paid in the previous year. The estimate generated from the calculator will not represent a final or binding determination of the institution's cost.

Does the Net Price Calculator Tell Me What My Financial Aid Package Will Be?

No. The Net Price Calculator will not tell you what your financial aid package will be.

Net price calculators are intended to provide early estimates to guide students' and parents' decision-making but do not replicate the college's financial aid process.

The estimate provided using this calculator does not represent a final determination, or actual award, of financial assistance or a final net price—it is an estimate based on price of attendance and financial aid provided to students in a previous year.

Price of attendance and financial aid availability change year to year. The estimates shall not be binding on the Secretary of Education, the institution of higher education, or the State. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes Federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance. For more information on applying for Federal student aid, visit the FAFSA site.

Private scholarships and employee tuition remission, are not included in this estimate. The Net Price Calculator does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state residents. Therefore, gift aid estimates may include California State Grants that you may not be eligible to receive. Actual awards may vary based on program applied to, scholarship availability, and artistic merit. If you have questions regarding the Net Price Calculator, the financial aid application process, or CalArts Admissions, we encourage you to contact us.