Hey everyone, starting the process of looking into colleges and UChicago has piqued my interest. I'm really digging the academic culture and the core curriculum, but the cost feels like a giant Dragon in the room. Besides tuition, what other fees am I looking at, approximately? Trying to compare net prices today. Thanks in advance!
Hi! I completely understand your concerns regarding the cost of attending college, especially a private institution like UChicago, and I'm happy to offer some information on this front.
Tuition ($67,446 for the 2024-2025 academic year) is indeed the primary cost associated with attendance, but certainly there are other factors to consider, such as housing, meal plans, books, supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.
Housing and dining costs can change depending on the type of accommodation you opt for and the meal plan you choose. For instance, for the 2024-2025 academic year, food and housing can cost about $20,000.
Books and supplies on average per year can set one back by around $1,200, but this can also vary a bit depending on the specific courses you take. There are ways to lessen this cost by finding used textbooks or renting.
Personal expenses are hard to estimate exactly as they greatly depend on each person's habits and lifestyle. However, UChicago estimates about $2,000 per year for miscellaneous personal expenses.
Lastly, transportation costs could vary depending on how often you plan on traveling home and the distance.
Remember: these are all estimates, and your individual costs could go above or below these figures. UChicago has a net price calculator on its website to help prospective students estimate what net price they may be looking at after considering aid. If these amounts still seem burdensome, researching scholarship opportunities both within University of Chicago and externally is recommended.
On the bright side, UChicago has a strong commitment to meet 100% of admitted students' demonstrated need. This means that if UChicago is your dream school, you should not automatically rule it out due to cost. However, I definitely commend your foresight in wisely planning for these expenses. Happy researching!
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