What Is Sticker Price?
Sticker price is the full published cost of attending a college for a year, before any financial aid is subtracted. It usually includes tuition, mandatory fees, room and board and estimates for books, transport and personal expenses. The name comes from the idea of the price on a sticker, as with a new car, that few people end up paying.
Sticker price versus net price
Net price is what a student pays after grants and scholarships are deducted from the sticker price, and it does not count loans, which must be repaid. Many US private colleges have high sticker prices, sometimes above $80,000 per year, but give large amounts of grant aid, so that average net prices are much lower. Public colleges often have lower sticker prices, especially for in-state residents, with smaller grants.
Because of this gap, comparing sticker prices alone can lead families to rule out affordable colleges, or to underestimate the cost of colleges with little aid.
How to estimate your net price
- Use the net price calculator on each college's website, which asks about family income, assets and academic profile and provides an estimate.
- Look at the College Scorecard from the US Department of Education, which shows average net prices by income group.
- Submit the FAFSA and other aid forms, and compare award letters when they arrive.
- Check the type of aid: grants and scholarships reduce cost, while loans and work-study do not.
Other terms related to cost
- Cost of attendance: the total estimated cost used for aid purposes, including living expenses.
- Out-of-pocket cost: what your family pays now.
- Total debt: what a student borrows over the course of a degree.
Using the idea
When researching colleges, look at both sticker and net prices, and consider what proportion of students receive aid, how much need the college meets and typical debt at graduation. A college with a high sticker price may be affordable for you, and one with a low price may still be a stretch if you receive little aid.
Related terms
See tuition, mandatory fees, need-blind admissions, full-ride scholarship and expected family contribution.
Frequently asked questions
Is sticker price what most students pay?
No. Many students receive scholarships and grants that reduce what they pay, particularly at private colleges with large aid budgets. The amount actually paid is the net price.
How do I find a college's net price?
Use the college's net price calculator, available on its website, which estimates costs after aid based on your family's information.
Does a high sticker price mean a better education?
Not necessarily. Price reflects funding models, programs and location as well as quality. Compare outcomes, support and net costs.