Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance
“Cost of attendance” (COA) is an estimate of what one year of college may cost you. It is not a bill — it’s a budget the Financial Aid Office uses to decide how much aid you can receive. Your costs depend on your living situation and your residency.
How financial need works: Your aid is based on financial need, which is your cost of attendance minus your Student Aid Index (SAI) — the number calculated from your FAFSA or CADAA. COA varies from school to school; your SAI does not. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
2026–27 Cost of Attendance
California residents are charged an enrollment fee and do not pay tuition. The estimates below are based on enrollment of 12 units per semester.
|
Expense category |
With Parents (Dependent) |
Independent |
AZ/NV Guest * |
Non-Resident ** |
|
Enrollment fees & tuition (12 units/semester) |
$1,104 |
$1,104 |
$1,656 |
$11,040 |
|
Books & supplies1 |
$1,089 |
$1,089 |
$1,089 |
$1,089 |
|
Food & housing2 |
$11,835 |
$22,752 |
$22,752 |
$22,752 |
|
Transportation3 |
$1,818 |
$1,989 |
$1,989 |
$1,989 |
|
Personal & misc.4 |
$4,140 |
$5,067 |
$5,067 |
$5,067 |
|
Total |
$19,986 |
$32,001 |
$32,553 |
$41,937 |
- Books & suppliesincludes books ($567), educational supplies ($162), course material fees ($198), and computer-related expenses ($162) — excluding the purchase of a personal computer.
- Food & housing includes food, snacks, meals, rent, and utilities.
- Transportation includes bus fare, gasoline, tolls, and parking.
- Personal & misc. includes clothing, laundry and dry-cleaning, personal care, gifts,
recreation, and medical.
* AZ/NV Guest Agreement — Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) fee, available to students living in Arizona and Nevada.
** Non-Resident (not under the Guest Agreement) — charged non-resident tuition plus enrollment fees, due at registration.
Per-unit fees
California residents$46 / unit
No tuition charged.
AZ/NV Guest (WUE)$69 / unit
1.5× the resident rate.
Non-residents$414 / unit tuition
plus $46/unit enrollment fee.
If your real costs are higher: COA Adjustment Appeal
If your actual education-related expenses — such as child care, housing, food, transportation, or medical and dental costs — are higher than the standard budget, you can ask us to review them. Submit the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Appeal with supporting documentation when available. You can request a review at any time, but you’re encouraged to do so at the start of the year or when you add summer classes. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval, and we’ll respond within 7–10 days. Questions: (760) 921-5500 or financialaid@paloverde.edu.