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Total Cost of Attendance
Term category: College Finance
In 10 words or less: The total, all-encompassing cost to attend a university.

Definition: The total cost of attendance is the price you'd pay to attend college for a year and includes tuition, room and board, books, fees, etc.

StockJargon Advice: The total cost of attendance is a very important figure to look at when considering colleges.  Some people put too much focus on tuition; however, tuition is just one part of the total costs.  For example, the cost of tuition for one year at the University of Michigan in 2006-2007 is $9,214.  But when you factor in all of the additional costs, the total cost of attendance is $20,178.  And that's if you're in-state--out of state students will pay $39,936!

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Related Books

Best 361 Colleges 2006 by Tom Meltzer
College Cost and Financial Aid Handbook 2006 by College Board
The Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College by Edward B. Fiske
The Real ACT Prep Guide By ACT Staff

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