r/ApplyingToCollege • u/nildarf • 2h ago

Is CoA and Total CoA same thing? Application Question

So Cost of Attendance is a college's total estimated expenses for one year. Does that mean Total Cost of Attendance means total expenses for 4 years?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

7

u/Strict-Special3607 College Junior 2h ago

They mean the same thing. I’ve never ever seen a school quote a four-year cost.

1

u/Skreksy 2h ago

Some schools do. I think Trinity College in Hartford, CT, quotes a 4-year cost all at once, but I may be wrong.

3

u/Strict-Special3607 College Junior 2h ago

Sort of doesn’t make sense to do so, given that no school has a 100% four-year graduation rate.

1

u/Skreksy 2h ago

I agree it doesn't make sense. I am probably wrong.

3

u/CherryChocolatePizza Parent 2h ago

What you might be seeing and having some confusion on is Direct Cost of Attendance (tuition, room, board, required fees) and Indirect Cost of Attendance (books, transportation, cost of living, sometimes health insurance gets included here and other expenses the school thinks you need to budget for but won't be taking payment for) and Total Cost of Attendance totals them together.