How to Use Net Price Calculators—And Why Most Families Don’t
Every college is required by law to offer a net price calculator on its website. These tools estimate how much financial aid your student might receive—and what your true cost could be after grants and scholarships. Yet surprisingly, most families never use them.
At Diversified College Planning, we teach families how to use net price calculators the right way—so they can compare colleges based on what matters most: what they’ll actually pay.
What Is a Net Price Calculator?
A net price calculator takes your family’s financial data (income, assets, household size, etc.) and generates an estimate of:
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Institutional grants and merit aid
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Federal and state aid eligibility
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Your estimated net cost to attend
This estimate is far more accurate than relying on the published “sticker price,” which few families actually pay.
Why Most Families Skip Them
Many families:
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Don’t know net price calculators exist
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Are overwhelmed by the financial questions
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Assume the sticker price is close enough
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Don’t realize that different colleges offer vastly different aid packages—even for similar students
That’s a mistake that can cost tens of thousands of dollars over four years.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Net Price Calculators
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Use your actual financial data, not guesses
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Run calculators for multiple schools—especially public vs private
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Save your results to compare side by side
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Pay attention to how much of your need the school is estimated to meet
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Don’t rely on one tool—results can vary significantly
When used early in the process, net price calculators give families an advantage: they can build a college list focused on real affordability, not assumptions.
📞 Want help understanding your college costs and comparing schools the smart way?
Website: https://diversifiedcollegeplanning.com/contact-us/
Phone: 770-662-8510
📅 Schedule with Mike
