NGPF Activity Bank

Paying for College

Teacher Tip Video

INTERACTIVE: How Much Will Your College Actually Cost?

Interactive: ​NPR Net Price Tool
Before deciding on a college, it is important to research the ​sticker price​ compared to the ​net price​ of
attendance. ​This interactive​ allows you to calculate how much your college will actually cost.

1. ​What is the difference between “sticker price” and “net price” for college?
The sticker price is the number that most schools list in their brochures.
The net price is the very same number fewer scholarships, grants, and financial aid. It is what you actually
pay.

2. Choose five colleges to research - one large public college, one small public college, two private colleges, and
one ivy league. Complete this ​spreadsheet​ using information from the ​interactive​.

3. Create a multi-line graph comparing the annual net price of the five universities you are researching. If you need
help creating the graph, follow the directions below.
a. Highlight cells B1: G6
b. Select INSERT, CHART
c. Change the CHART TYPE to a line graph (use the Chart Editor on the right-hand side)
d. Check the SWITCH COLUMNS/ROWS (if needed)
e. If preferred, customize your chart
f. Click on the title in the graph and change it to better fit the data presented
g. Move your graph so you can view both the graph and data

4. If your annual household income is between $48,000 and $75,000, which college would be the most affordable
option?
Harvard would be the most affordable because it is less than $10,000 which it’s good for it doesn’t seem to
much for a household income. That way I don’t waste too much money on that, because there’s going to be
other stuff more important

5. If your annual household income is above $110,000, which college would be the most affordable option?
The most affordable would be the university of Kentucky as well it would southwestern college

www.ngpf.org Last updated: 2/9/18

1
6. If your annual household income is $48,000 -$75,000, what percentage of the sticker price are you actually
paying?

College Type Percentage of sticker price

you are actually paying

Large Public College %56

Small Public College %36

Private College #1 %22

Private College #2 %60

Ivy League %58

7. If your annual net income is above $110,000, what percentage of the sticker price are you actually paying?

College Type Percentage of sticker price

you are actually paying

Large Public College %42

Small Public College %24

Private College #1 %18

Private College #2 %49

Ivy League %37

8. What are some misconceptions YOU had about the sticker price of a college? Do you think these are common
misconceptions of most consumers? Did this comparison debunk those misconceptions?
I don’t think most of the people that could afford this type of university are because they have a loan for
college or they are rich and they just pay it off without no problem. This comparison was helpful to
understand how expensive can school be and that’s why we can through the opportunity away just because
we get lazy of all the homework they give us.

www.ngpf.org Last updated: 2/9/18

2