Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance consists of two types of costs:

• Direct costs are those that will appear on your bills from USF — tuition, campus fees, and your housing and meal costs if you choose to live on campus.
• Indirect costs are estimates of other costs you should budget for, like books, transportation, and personal expenses (as well as rent and food if you choose to live off campus). These expenses won’t appear on your USF bill, and will differ for each family, depending on the choices you make.

Tuition, fees and housing and meal plan costs are set by the university’s Board of Trustees. The board works to keep these charges as low as possible, but in recent years these costs have typically increased between 3% and 5% annually. We use the cost of a standard double room for on-campus housing and standard meal plan in our estimate. The averages for books, transportation and personal expenses come from an annual survey by the California Student Aid Commission.

The Office of Financial Aid uses the estimated cost of attendance to determine your eligibility for financial aid, like grants and loans. Federal regulations require that the total aid we give you not exceed your cost of attendance each year. When you apply for financial aid, your estimated cost of attendance should appear on any financial aid offer letter you receive from a university. That gives you a common starting point for comparing your aid offers from different colleges. Keep in mind that because the cost of attendance total is based in part on estimates of costs like books and travel, your actual expenses each year may be different than what’s listed on your offer letter.

No. The cost of attendance uses estimates for expenses like books and personal travel that will be different for every student. Your bill will only include direct costs like tuition, campus fees, and on-campus housing and meal plan charges. Those direct costs may differ from your estimated cost of attendance if you choose, for example, a more expensive meal plan or a single dorm room.

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) figures provided by the University of San Francisco (USF) are designed to help students and families anticipate the financial investment required for an academic year. These figures represent average estimates and are subject to change based on federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and individual student circumstances.

Key Considerations

1. Estimated Costs: The COA includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Actual costs may vary depending on the student’s program of study, housing choice, enrollment status, and personal spending habits.
2. Federal Regulations: USF determines COA in compliance with Section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. § 1087ll). This standardized framework ensures consistency and provides the foundation for calculating financial aid eligibility.
3. Adjustments to COA: The COA is subject to adjustment for specific circumstances, such as dependent care costs, disability-related expenses, or participation in study abroad programs. Students seeking adjustments should consult with USF’s Financial Aid Office.
4. Market Factors: Housing and meal plan costs reflect market conditions and are reviewed periodically. Transportation and personal expenses are based on average costs and may not align with every student’s actual expenses.

Additional Information

• Purpose of COA: The COA serves as a budgeting tool and does not represent a direct bill from the university.
• Student Responsibility: Students are encouraged to carefully evaluate their individual budgets and financial aid packages to ensure they can meet their educational costs responsibly.
• Questions or Assistance: For further clarification or to request a review of your COA, please contact USF’s Financial Aid Office at financialaid@office.usfca.edu. 

This COA estimate is intended as a guideline and does not guarantee actual costs or expenses. We recommend all students and families plan carefully and explore financial resources to support their educational goals.