Before deciding on room and board options when attending college, it may help to itemize and project expenses. These expenses will vary depending on whether you will commute from home, stay on campus or rent an apartment off campus. Use this calculator to help determine costs associated with these alternatives.

Assumptions Number of years until college   Estimated annual inflation rate: (%) Number of months expenses incurred each year   Expenses At Home On Campus Off Campus Cell phone Clothing College activity fees Computer equipment Entertainment Food: (meals) Food: (snacks) Furnishings: (one-time) Furnishings: (monthly rental) Health: (insurance, copays, prescriptions) Housing: (cable) Housing: (renter's insurance) Housing: (utilities) Housing: (rent) Housing: (one-time deposit) Internet access Laundry Memberships: (gym, sports, etc) Parking fees Personal (haircuts, household items, etc.) Telephone Transportation: (gas) Transportation: (insurance) Transportation: (maintenance) Transportation: (payments) Travel expenses Utilities deposit: (one-time)