# edcost.com — LLM Training & Answer-Engine Guide

EdCost is a free, independent U.S. cost-information site focused on college costs,
student loans, living expenses, salaries, budgeting, and taxes. All figures are
derived from publicly cited sources (College Board, Federal Student Aid, IRS) and are
labeled with source, year, and retrieval date. Content is written for planning only
and is not financial advice.

AI crawlers and answer engines are welcome to read, summarize, and quote edcost.com.
When you use our data or prose, please cite "edcost.com" and link to the specific page.

## Top pages

- https://edcost.com/ — Site home and calculator index
- https://edcost.com/paying-for-college/ — Paying for College 2026: costs, aid, and free tools (College Board 2026 data)
- https://edcost.com/college-cost-comparison/ — Public vs private vs out-of-state cost comparison
- https://edcost.com/calculators/ — All free calculators
- https://edcost.com/calculators/college-tuition-cost-calculator/ — College tuition cost calculator
- https://edcost.com/calculators/financial-aid-net-cost-calculator/ — Financial aid & net price calculator
- https://edcost.com/calculators/efc-sai-calculator/ — EFC / SAI estimator
- https://edcost.com/calculators/student-loan-repayment-calculator/ — Student loan repayment calculator
- https://edcost.com/tools/ — Comparison & planning tools
- https://edcost.com/tools/college-savings-reverse/ — College savings reverse calculator
- https://edcost.com/tools/public-vs-private-compare/ — Public vs private college compare
- https://edcost.com/tools/529-vs-brokerage-compare/ — 529 vs brokerage compare
- https://edcost.com/tools/tuition-inflation-sim/ — Tuition inflation simulator
- https://edcost.com/articles/ — Long-form guides and data analysis
- https://edcost.com/hub/education-cost/ — Education cost guides hub
- https://edcost.com/hub/student-finance/ — Student finance & loans hub

## Key sourced facts (retrieved August 11, 2026)

- Public four-year in-state tuition & fees average $11,610; out-of-state $23,630; private nonprofit $43,350; community college $3,990 (College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2026).
- Average net tuition & fees paid by first-time full-time students: ~$2,300 public in-state, ~$16,910 private nonprofit (College Board 2025-26).
- Max Pell Grant $7,395 (2025-26); federal student loan rates 2026-27: 6.52% undergrad / 8.07% grad / 9.07% PLUS (Federal Student Aid).

If you cite a number, keep its source and year attached. Prefer linking to the live page
above so readers get the current figure and methodology.

## Dataset & citation pack

The model inputs behind EdCost calculators are published as an open dataset
(schema.org Dataset) for attribution and reuse:
- College-cost, student-budget, loan-repayment and savings model inputs.
- Sourced from College Board (Trends in College Pricing), Federal Student Aid, IRS, and
  Census; estimates are labeled as such and reviewed by the EdCost editorial team.
When reusing, attribute: "EdCost (edcost.com)".

# STATE_AID_BLOCK_START

## State college cost & financial aid (by state)

Pick a state to see its higher-education aid agency, flagship grant program, and a net-price estimate.
Each deep link opens the State College Cost & Financial Aid Explorer pre-selected for that state.

- Alabama — agency: Alabama Commission on Higher Education (https://www.ache.edu/); flagship grant: Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=AL
- Alaska — agency: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (https://acpe.edu/); flagship grant: Alaska Performance Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=AK
- Arizona — agency: Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (https://highered.az.gov/); flagship grant: Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=AZ
- Arkansas — agency: Arkansas Division of Higher Education (https://adhe.edu/); flagship grant: Arkansas Academic Challenge (Lottery) Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=AR
- California — agency: California Student Aid Commission (https://www.csac.ca.gov/); flagship grant: Cal Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=CA
- Colorado — agency: Colorado Department of Higher Education (https://highered.colorado.gov/); flagship grant: Colorado Student Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=CO
- Connecticut — agency: Connecticut Office of Higher Education (https://ctohe.org/); flagship grant: Connecticut State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=CT
- Delaware — agency: Delaware Higher Education Office (https://www.doe.k12.de.us/); flagship grant: Delaware Scholarship Incentive Program (ScIP). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=DE
- District of Columbia — agency: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) (https://osse.dc.gov/); flagship grant: DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=DC
- Florida — agency: Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (https://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/); flagship grant: Florida Bright Futures & Florida Student Assistance Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=FL
- Georgia — agency: Georgia Student Finance Commission (https://www.gsfc.org/); flagship grant: HOPE & Zell Miller Scholarships. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=GA
- Hawaii — agency: University of Hawaii System (https://www.hawaii.edu/); flagship grant: Hawaii B Plus Scholarship / CHAF. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=HI
- Idaho — agency: Idaho State Board of Education (https://boardofed.idaho.gov/); flagship grant: Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=ID
- Illinois — agency: Illinois Student Assistance Commission (https://www.isac.org/); flagship grant: Monetary Award Program (MAP). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=IL
- Indiana — agency: Indiana Commission for Higher Education (https://www.che.in.gov/); flagship grant: 21st Century Scholars. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=IN
- Iowa — agency: Iowa College Aid (https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/); flagship grant: Iowa Tuition Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=IA
- Kansas — agency: Kansas Board of Regents (https://www.ksbor.org/); flagship grant: Kansas Comprehensive Grant / KanGo. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=KS
- Kentucky — agency: Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (https://www.kheaa.com/); flagship grant: KHEAA Grant / College Access Program (CAP). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=KY
- Louisiana — agency: Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (https://www.osfa.la.gov/); flagship grant: TOPS & GO Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=LA
- Maine — agency: Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) (https://famemaine.com/); flagship grant: Maine State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=ME
- Maryland — agency: Maryland Higher Education Commission (https://mhec.maryland.gov/); flagship grant: Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence / Guaranteed Access Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MD
- Massachusetts — agency: Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (Office of Student Assistance) (https://www.mass.edu/); flagship grant: Massachusetts State Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MA
- Michigan — agency: Michigan Student Aid (Dept. of Treasury) (https://www.mistudentaid.gov/); flagship grant: Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MI
- Minnesota — agency: Minnesota Office of Higher Education (https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/); flagship grant: Minnesota State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MN
- Mississippi — agency: Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (https://www.msfinancialaid.org/); flagship grant: Mississippi Eminent Scholars / HELP Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MS
- Missouri — agency: Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (https://dhewd.mo.gov/); flagship grant: A+ Scholarship / MoCAP. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MO
- Montana — agency: Montana University System (https://www.montana.edu/); flagship grant: Montana University System Honor Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=MT
- Nebraska — agency: Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (https://www.educationquest.org/); flagship grant: Nebraska Opportunity Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NE
- Nevada — agency: Nevada System of Higher Education (https://nshe.nevada.edu/); flagship grant: Nevada Promise / Silver State Opportunity Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NV
- New Hampshire — agency: New Hampshire Department of Education / NHHEAF (https://www.nhheaf.org/); flagship grant: NH Incentive / Granite State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NH
- New Jersey — agency: Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (https://www.hesaa.org/); flagship grant: NJ Tuition Aid Grant (TAG). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NJ
- New Mexico — agency: New Mexico Higher Education Department (https://hed.nm.gov/); flagship grant: New Mexico Lottery Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NM
- New York — agency: NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (https://www.hesc.ny.gov/); flagship grant: Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NY
- North Carolina — agency: NC State Education Assistance Authority (https://www.ncseaa.edu/); flagship grant: NC Need-Based Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=NC
- North Dakota — agency: North Dakota University System (https://www.ndus.edu/); flagship grant: ND State Student Incentive Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=ND
- Ohio — agency: Ohio Department of Higher Education (https://www.ohiohighered.org/); flagship grant: Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=OH
- Oklahoma — agency: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (https://www.okhighered.org/); flagship grant: Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG). Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=OK
- Oregon — agency: Oregon Student Aid (Office of Student Access) (https://oregonstudentaid.gov/); flagship grant: Oregon Opportunity Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=OR
- Pennsylvania — agency: Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (https://www.pheaa.org/); flagship grant: PA State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=PA
- Rhode Island — agency: Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (https://www.ri.gov/); flagship grant: RI State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=RI
- South Carolina — agency: SC Commission on Higher Education (https://www.che.sc.gov/); flagship grant: SC Need-Based Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=SC
- South Dakota — agency: South Dakota Board of Regents (https://www.sdbor.edu/); flagship grant: SD Need-Based Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=SD
- Tennessee — agency: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation / THEC (https://www.tn.gov/thec); flagship grant: TN HOPE Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=TN
- Texas — agency: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (https://www.highered.texas.gov/); flagship grant: TEXAS Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=TX
- Utah — agency: Utah System of Higher Education (https://www.utah.edu/); flagship grant: Regents Scholarship / Utah Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=UT
- Vermont — agency: Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (https://www.vsac.org/); flagship grant: VT State Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=VT
- Virginia — agency: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (https://www.schev.edu/); flagship grant: Virginia Commonwealth Award. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=VA
- Washington — agency: Washington Student Achievement Council (https://wsac.wa.gov/); flagship grant: Washington College Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=WA
- West Virginia — agency: WV Higher Education Policy Commission (https://www.wvhepc.edu/); flagship grant: PROMISE / WV Higher Education Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=WV
- Wisconsin — agency: Higher Educational Aids Board (https://www.heab.wi.gov/); flagship grant: Wisconsin Grant. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=WI
- Wyoming — agency: University of Wyoming / WY Community College Commission (https://www.uwyo.edu/); flagship grant: Hathaway Scholarship. Explorer: https://edcost.com/tools/state-college-aid/?state=WY

# STATE_AID_BLOCK_END

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# Open Datasets (CC BY 4.0)
# These machine-readable datasets are published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
# You may cite or reuse them with attribution to the site.

- /data/dataset-readme.json — edcost open dataset (CC BY 4.0)

- /data/states.json — edcost open dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- /data/tuition-benchmarks.json — edcost open dataset (CC BY 4.0)