Know Your Real Cost Before You Apply.
See your actual net price per college based on family income. No more sticker shock. Compare real costs across every school on your list.
Students who saved thousands got into
See What Every School Actually Costs
Real cost data from the Department of Education, organized so you can make smarter decisions.
Real Numbers, Not Sticker Prices
Sticker price tells you nothing. Blueprint shows actual net cost by income bracket, using data colleges report to the Department of Education.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare net costs across all your schools at once. No more opening 10 different net price calculators.
Income-Based Estimates
See how your family income bracket affects your actual cost at each school. Real data, not guesswork.
FAFSA Guidance
$4.4 billion in Pell Grants went unclaimed last year. We help make sure you don't leave money on the table.
What's Hidden in the Sticker Price
See how financial aid could change what you pay
Most families don't pay the listed price.
Colleges publish their maximum cost of attendance. But grants, scholarships, and federal aid can cut that number significantly. Blueprint estimates your actual cost at each school based on your family's financial profile.
$44,500/yr potential savings
That's 70% below the listed price for this income bracket.
Where does the aid come from?
Need-Based GrantsSchool grants via FAFSA/CSS Profile
~$28,000Merit ScholarshipsGPA and achievement-based awards
~$8,000Federal AidPell Grants and subsidized loans
~$5,500Work-StudyPart-time campus jobs, 10-15 hrs/wk
~$3,000Estimates based on IPEDS data and federal aid formulas. Actual aid varies by school, determined after FAFSA/CSS Profile submission. Blueprint does not guarantee specific amounts.
Cost of Attendance
STANFORD UNIVERSITY2025-26 Academic Year
Tuition$0
Room & Board$0
Fees$0
Books & Supplies$0
TOTAL$0/yr
✂ · · · · · · · · · · ·
After Financial Aid
Need-Based Grant-$0
Merit Scholarship-$0
Federal Aid-$0
Work-Study-$0
YOUR NET COST
$0/yr
Estimated for family income of $85K
See the Real Cost Difference
Sticker price vs. what you'll actually pay. Select an income bracket and watch the numbers change.
Cost Calculator
Cost Comparison · 2024-25Select your family income bracket
SU
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Sticker Price
$82,406/yr
Estimated Net Cost
$5,800/yr
7% of sticker
Save $76,606
LA
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
Sticker Price
$44,830/yr
Estimated Net Cost
$5,100/yr
11% of sticker
Save $39,730
GT
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, GA
Sticker Price
$43,878/yr
Estimated Net Cost
$4,200/yr
10% of sticker
Save $39,678
Average net cost:$5,033/yr
Average savings:$52,005/yr
Click a bracket above to explore costs at different income levels
Estimate My Aid
See your real cost. Takes 2 minutes.
Real Students, Real Savings
Students who used Blueprint to understand their real college costs.
“I almost didn't apply to my top school because of the sticker price. Blueprint showed me the actual net cost was half what I expected. That one insight changed my entire college list.”
JW
Jordan Williams
Riverside High School
Class of 2027
Saved $45K in expected costs
“Comparing real costs across 10 schools would have taken me hours on each school's net price calculator. Blueprint did it in seconds and showed me two safeties were actually cheaper than my state school.”
SR
Sofia Reyes
Magnolia Academy
Class of 2027
Compared 12 schools instantly
“As a parent, the sticker prices on college websites were terrifying. Blueprint showed us the actual net cost for our income bracket. Turns out our daughter's top choice was $30K less than we thought. That one number changed our whole conversation from "we can't afford it" to "let's make it work."”
LP
Linda Park
Parent, Summit Prep
Class of 2027
Family saved $32K on college choice
Blueprint vs the Alternatives
How Blueprint compares to what families typically use to estimate college costs.
| Feature | Blueprint | College Websites | Private Counselor | Going Solo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side-by-Side Cost Comparison | ||||
| Time to Compare 10 Schools | < 1 minute | 5+ hours | 1-2 weeks | N/A |
| Income-Adjusted Estimates | ||||
| Schools Covered | 4,000+ | 1 at a time | 20-50 | 0 |
| Data Source | Dept. of Education | Varies by school | Experience | Sticker price |
| FAFSA Guidance | ||||
| Shareable Family Report |
Blueprint
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
Time to Compare 10 Schools< 1 minute
Income-Adjusted Estimates
Schools Covered4,000+
Data SourceDept. of Education
FAFSA Guidance
Shareable Family Report
College Websites
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
Time to Compare 10 Schools5+ hours
Income-Adjusted Estimates
Schools Covered1 at a time
Data SourceVaries by school
FAFSA Guidance
Shareable Family Report
Private Counselor
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
Time to Compare 10 Schools1-2 weeks
Income-Adjusted Estimates
Schools Covered20-50
Data SourceExperience
FAFSA Guidance
Shareable Family Report
Going Solo
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
Time to Compare 10 SchoolsN/A
Income-Adjusted Estimates
Schools Covered0
Data SourceSticker price
FAFSA Guidance
Shareable Family Report
See Your Real Costs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Cost Calculator.
Still have questions?
Know What You'll Actually Pay.
Stop guessing about college costs. See your real net price for every school on your list, side by side.