Why The Tuition Number You See Isn’t The Cost You’ll Pay

We cut through sticker shock to explain how the published price differs from what families actually pay. We walk through need-based and merit aid, how admissions goals shape offers, and why net cost should guide every decision.

• sticker price versus real cost and net price
• why higher posted prices can lead to lower net cost
• need-based aid determined by financial data
• merit aid based on academic profile and priorities
• how admissions and budgets influence aid
• planning by comparing four-year net costs
• using net price calculators to gauge affordability

More about working with East Coast Admissions is available on our website

Chapters

• 0:04 Welcome And Today’s Focus
• 0:12 Sticker Price Versus Real Cost
• 0:36 Why Colleges Post High Prices
• 1:01 Need-Based Aid And Merit Aid
• 1:17 Admissions, Budgets, And Aid
• 1:28 Net Cost And Smart Planning
• 1:45 Closing And Where To Learn More

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:04

Good morning and welcome to the East Coast College Admissions Podcast. I'm your host, Cleopatra, and this is Today in Admissions. Today's topic, sticker price versus real cost. When families look at college tuition, the first number they see is the sticker price. And for many, it's enough to cause immediate panic. But that number is rarely what families actually pay. The sticker price is the published cost of attendance. The real cost is what remains after financial aid, scholarships, and institutional grants are applied. Colleges use sticker price strategically. Higher published costs allows schools to distribute aid flexibly, offer merit awards, and shape their incoming class. Two families can attend the same institution and pay dramatically different amounts. This is where confusion often arises. A school with a higher sticker price can sometimes be more affordable than a school with a lower published cost, depending on how aid is structured. It's also important to distinguish need-based aid and merit aid. Need-based aid is determined by financial information. Merit aid is awarded based on academic profile or institutional priorities, and it's never guaranteed. Another common misconception is assuming financial aid decisions happen independently of admissions. In reality, enrollment goals and budget constraints influence how aid is allocated. The key takeaway is this families should evaluate colleges' need or net cost, not stick a price. Understanding the difference allows families to plan realistically and avoid ruling out colleges too early or committing to colleges that may not be sustainable long term. And that's it for today in Admissions, a short daily update on how college admissions actually works. More about working with East Coast Admissions is available on our website. Until tomorrow, back to your day.