The Whole Cost of College: A Free Tool for Assessing Affordability

MCD for Parents

Assessing Affordability, Part 1

by Leigh Moore

2.18.2026

It's difficult to determine college affordability without prices.

Seriously. It's a struggle to estimate how much a student's first year at a given college will cost, let alone how much they will pay for the entirety of their degree.

A couple of dynamics are at play:

First, the data is old. The most recent published costs of attendance--that is, the costs which show up in online tools--pertain to the 2024-2025 academic year. Think about that: a current junior will assumedly begin college in 2027-2028, meaning that any available information tracks three years behind their reality.

Second, families simply cannot be expected to predict rates of increase. Am I wrong? Historical pricing information is out there, but how many families know where and how to find it? Moore College Data exists largely to bridge the gap between "publicly available" and "easily accessible"--but that's another post for another day.

For now, please check out our new, free custom cost projection tool for families. By incorporating each college's historical price data and calculating their increases, we enable users to made educated guesses rather than shots in the dark.

Go to cost projection tool

Sticker prices matter.

Most students at most schools receive some amount of need-based or merit scholarships--but families should always keep their eyes on sticker prices--that is, the published total costs of attendance--whether or not their student receives financial awards. Published costs are the starting point from which all such aid is subtracted. In other words, even a student receiving a guaranteed $50K/year scholarship will be affected when that amount covers less and less of the total price.

Speaking of scholarships, my next post will illustrate how upperclassmen tend to pay more than first-year students. Don't miss it!

Join our mailing list for updates