Columbia Financial Aid and Educational Financing

Estimate Your Net Cost

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We are pleased to offer three options to assist your family with estimating your net cost and the financial aid for which you may qualify. These tools provide estimates using the financial aid policies of Columbia College and Columbia Engineering only. Financial Aid and Educational Financing is the final authority on a student’s eligibility for financial aid.​

The results calibrated from any net price calculator generally are only as accurate as the information you provide. Please remember to include any untaxed income such as tax-deferred retirement contributions, tax-exempt interest, etc. Lastly, given the differences and complexity of international finances, Columbia’s Net Price Calculators are only able to provide cost estimates for domestic applicants who live in the United States.

Special circumstances are treated on a case-by-case basis. This information should be communicated in writing directly to Financial Aid and Educational Financing at the time of your application.

Columbia Instant Net Price Estimator

The Columbia Instant Net Price Estimator provides a quick set of estimates of your potential net cost to attend Columbia. Simply hover over or click on your family’s level of total income, account for the number of siblings who may be enrolled in college in the same academic year as you, and you’ll get an initial idea of what a Columbia education may cost you.

As a caveat when using any of our three Net Price Calculators, please note that some of the following circumstances could impact the accuracy of your results:

  • Parents who are self-employed or own a business, corporation and/or partnership.
  • If your family lives outside the United States.
  • Divorced or separated parents.
  • Families with more than one student in college.

More In-Depth Estimates

If you have a little more time and want to answer additional questions that could provide you with a more nuanced estimated net price, feel free to use either of the two below net price calculators. These cost calculators directly mirror some of the experiences of completing an actual financial aid application, and could provide you additional insight into the level of financial aid you might be eligible for at Columbia based on your family’s specific finances.

MyinTuition Quick College Cost Estimator

Net Price Calculator

  • The Net Price Calculator is a comprehensive calculator that asks a number of detailed questions to calculate an estimate of the amount your family may be expected to contribute.

  • It may be necessary to refer to the student’s and parents’ most recent federal tax returns in order to complete the form accurately.

  • The form can take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

  • Based on the information you submit, the Net Price Calculator will provide an estimated Net Price, including a Parent Contribution, Student Contribution and Student Self-Help for one year at Columbia.

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