Cost of Attendance
at USU

The Cost of Attendance (COA) reflects the estimated average expenses a student may incur while attending school, including both direct costs (tuition, fees, housing, and food) and indirect costs (books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses). These estimates are based on surveys, published data, and national consumer indexes, and may not represent an individual student’s actual expenses. Since personal circumstances vary, costs can differ due to factors such as differential tuition or housing choices. 

If needed, a student’s COA can be adjusted to reflect actual tuition, fees, and student loan fees. All costs are subject to change without notice and typically increase each year. Actual expenses may also vary based on room type and meal plan selection. 

According to federal regulations for Title IV programs, the estimated cost of attendance (COA) for a student must account for the following average expenses: 

• Housing: This includes average costs for rent or mortgage, and basic utilities. According to federal regulations, students living in housing paid for by the military will only receive costs related to food. 

• Food: This reflects the average cost per student for groceries and/or meal plans, based on federal regulations requiring coverage for 21 meals per week over a 14–16 week semester, depending on the course syllabus. For both on-campus and off-campus budgets, the amount is aligned with the cost of USU’s Unlimited Meal Plan.

• Books, Supplies, Course Materials, and Others: This covers the estimated expenses for textbooks, course materials, and other essential supplies. 

• Transportation: This includes travel between campus, residences, and work, as well as basic vehicle maintenance. 

• Miscellaneous/Personal Expenses: These encompass items like clothing, entertainment, and other general living expenses. 

If you are not attending full-time, your living expenses may remain the same, depending on whether you live with parents, on campus, or off campus. However, your tuition and fees will be adjusted proportionally based on your enrollment. Please visit our Tuition and Fees Page for specific costs based on your enrollment status. You may also visit our official registration calendars page for specific deadlines to add/drop classes. 

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on estimated figures for individual students. Federal aid-eligible students can request a modification of the components above by requesting a federal aid appeal to their Federal Aid Counselor. Not all increases result in additional need-based financial aid, but students can opt for extra loans. Some costs that may result in an increase are: 

• Daycare, childcare, and private school tuition can also be added to a student's cost of attendance.  

• High out-of-pocket medical and dental costs that were recently paid, not covered by insurance, and not itemized on tax returns can also be considered.  

• Students may also appeal for an increase if they need to purchase a computer for their program.  

• Additional required program fees and expenses. An example is our flight programs that have additional Flight Fees depending on the certification chosen. 

• Please visit Differential Tuition, Master of Human Resources, Master of Business Administration, and Veterinary Medicine for more specific information about differential costs added to these courses. 

Your calculated financial need is your estimated Cost of Attendance minus your FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) amount, which allows USU to determine your eligibility for subsidized loans, Federal Work-Study (FWS), and other need-based aid.