Cost of Attendance
What is the cost of attendance?
Every student who applies for financial aid is assigned a cost of attendance (COA). This COA—sometimes referred to as a "student budget"—serves two purposes:
- to give you an estimate of the cost to attend DU for one year, and
- to set a limit on the amount of financial aid you can receive during the academic year (which federal regulations require us to do).
This means your actual expenses may be different from what's listed on your financial aid offer, and the total amount of your aid—including scholarships, grants, loans and work-study—can't exceed your total cost of attendance.
Direct Costs vs. Indirect Costs
Components in the cost of a college education are divided into two categories: the direct costs that are billed by the University, and the indirect costs of living in/near Denver. When we calculate eligibility for financial aid, we account for both types of costs.
Direct Costs (Billed by DU):
- Tuition
- Fees
- On-campus housing and meal plans
- DU Health Insurance Plan (only if you're not covered by another health plan)
Indirect Costs (Paid by the Student):
- Off-campus housing and food
- Books and supplies
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
Cost of Attendance Examples
2020-2021 Academic Year
These figures are based on estimated expenses for a student enrolled in the fall, winter and spring quarters of the 2020-2021 academic year.
Tuition rates:
- For all traditional undergraduate programs, tuition is $1,461 per credit. However, students enrolled between 12-18 credits in a quarter are charged a flat rate of $17,532.
- Students enrolled in the University College Bachelor's Completion program are charged $685 per credit.
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Full-Time Student Living On Campus
Direct Costs: Tuition $52,596 Fees $1,179 Housing & Meals $14,178 Subtotal $67,953 Indirect Costs: Books $1,000 Transportation* $1,536 Personal Expenses $1,440 Loan Fees** $80 Cost of Attendance $72,009 *DU will add an additional transportation allowance of $653 for students who are not Colorado residents.
**A 1.059% origination fee is taken out at disbursement of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. The $80 listed above is the average fee for undergraduate students who borrow these loans. Actual fees will depend on the amount borrowed.
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Full-Time Student Living Off Campus
Direct Costs: Tuition $52,596 Fees $1,179 Subtotal $53,775 Indirect Costs: Housing & Meals $12,663 Books $1,000 Transportation* $1,536 Personal Expenses $1,440 Loan Fees** $80 Cost of Attendance $70,494 *DU will add an additional transportation allowance of $653 for students who are not Colorado residents.
**A 1.059% origination fee is taken out at disbursement of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. The $80 listed above is the average fee for undergraduate students who borrow these loans. Actual fees will depend on the amount borrowed.
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Full-Time Student Living at Home
Direct Costs: Tuition $52,596 Fees $1,179 Subtotal $53,775 Indirect Costs: Housing & Meals $4,626 Books $1,000 Transportation $1,536 Personal Expenses $1,287 Loan Fees* $80 Cost of Attendance $62,304 *A 1.059% origination fee is taken out at disbursement of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. The $80 listed above is the average fee for undergraduate students who borrow these loans. Actual fees will depend on the amount borrowed.
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Working Professional in the Bachelor's Completion Program
Direct Costs: Tuition (2 classes per quarter) $16,440 Fees $96 Subtotal $16,536 Indirect Costs: Books $500 Housing & Meals $12,663 Transportation $1,665 Personal Expenses $1,440 Health Insurance* $3,150 Loan Fees** $80 Cost of Attendance $36,034 *Health Insurance is a direct cost if you don't waive the insurance offered through DU.
**A 1.059% origination fee is taken out at disbursement of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. The $80 listed above is the average fee for undergraduate students who borrow these loans. Actual fees will depend on the amount borrowed.
Estimate Your Out-of-Pocket Cost
Use our worksheets to get an idea of what you may have to pay each quarter of the 2020-21 academic year after your financial aid has been applied to your student account. (Note: You'll need to have your 2020-21 financial aid offer to complete these worksheets.)
- Estimated First-Year Cost Worksheet
For prospective, first-year students who do not yet know their housing assignment or meal plan choice. - 2020-21 Estimated Billing Worksheet
For current or prospective students who know their housing and meal plan choices.
86% of undergraduate students received financial aid last year
Estimate Your Cost
Want a personalized estimate of your out-of-pocket costs as a first-year student at DU? Determine what you might pay with our Quick Cost Estimator.
Quick Cost Estimator
Meet the Team
The staff in our Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to ensuring you have the resources you need to effectively finance your education. Get to know our dedicated financial aid staff or make an appointment to meet with an advisor.
Learn More
Financial Aid 101
Financing your education can be intimidating and confusing. That's why we've developed "Financial Aid 101"—an email series designed to help prospective students fully understand the financial aid process at DU.
Financial Aid 101Contact
Financial Aid
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finaid@du.edu
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303-871-4020
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303-871-2341
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www.du.edu/financialaid
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