The difference between "sticker price" and "net price" for college is as follows:

• Sticker Price is the total published cost of attending a college for one academic year. It includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses the college charges or estimates. This is the "full price" before any financial aid is applied

• Net Price is the actual amount a student will pay after subtracting grants, scholarships, and other gift aid (financial aid that does not have to be repaid) from the sticker price. It reflects the personalized cost based on the student's financial aid package and family situation. Net price does not include loans or work-study

In essence, the sticker price is the starting point or "list price," while the net price is the "real cost" to the student after financial aid. Many students pay significantly less than the sticker price because of financial aid, making net price a more accurate measure of affordability

. For example, the national average sticker price for private four-year colleges in 2020-21 was about $54,880, but the average net price paid was $26,820 after aid

. This shows how financial aid can greatly reduce the cost. Colleges often provide net price calculators on their websites to help families estimate their personalized net price based on financial and academic information

. Summary:

Term| Definition| Includes| Excludes
---|---|---|---
Sticker Price| Total published cost of attendance| Tuition, fees, room/board, books, supplies, other fees| Financial aid discounts
Net Price| Actual cost after subtracting grants/scholarships| Sticker price minus grants and scholarships| Loans, work-study, other repayable aid

Thus, the net price is the amount a student realistically pays, while the sticker price is the advertised full cost before aid