Tuition + financial aid
$58,400 published. Most students pay much less.
80% of students receive financial aid. Average award $35,000. Need-blind admissions for first-year domestic applicants. We meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Aid + access
80%
Students receiving aid
$35K
Avg aid award
100%
Of demonstrated need met
Need-blind
First-year domestic
Cost of attendance
2026-2027 academic year
Tuition — $58,400
Annual undergraduate tuition. Same for in-state + out-of-state students. Tuition has increased ~3% annually for past 5 years.
Room + board — $18,200
Housing on campus + meal plan. Required for first 2 years (most students); optional thereafter. Off-campus housing costs vary; comparable for most students.
Books + supplies — $1,200 estimated
Cost varies by major. STEM majors typically higher ($1,500+). Humanities lower ($800).
Personal expenses — $2,400 estimated
Transportation, entertainment, personal items, healthcare not covered. Highly variable by student lifestyle.
Total cost of attendance — $80,200
Tuition + room/board + books + personal. The published price. Most students pay significantly less due to financial aid.
Financial aid offsets cost
Average aid: $35,000. Median net cost (cost minus aid): $45,200. Some students with high need pay less than $15,000 net.
Types of aid
What's available
Need-based grants
Caldwell-funded grants based on demonstrated financial need. Awards $5,000–$58,400 (full tuition). Don’t need to be repaid. Renewable annually with continued need.
Merit scholarships
Merit awards $5,000–$30,000/year. Based on academic performance + special talents. Not need-based; can stack with need-based aid up to total cost of attendance.
Federal Pell Grants
For Pell-eligible students (typically family income under $50,000). Up to $7,395/year. Federal funding; renewable annually.
Federal student loans
Direct subsidized + unsubsidized loans. Federal Stafford program. Lower interest rates than private loans. Repayment begins 6 months post-graduation.
Federal work-study
Federally-funded work-study positions on campus. ~10-15 hours/week. Earnings reduce loan + grant need. Most students participate.
External scholarships
Outside scholarships from organizations, civic groups, employers. Search tools available. Some scholarships specifically for Caldwell students; others broader.
Estimated net cost calculator
What will Caldwell cost you?
Net Price Calculator
Estimated total cost of attendance after aid. Account for family income, household composition, savings, assets. Available at caldwell.edu/tuition/calculator.
What it shows
Estimated grant aid, expected family contribution, work-study, recommended loan amount. Approximation; actual aid award based on full FAFSA submission.
How accurate is it?
Within 10-15% of actual aid offered for ~85% of families. Some families with complex situations (divorced parents, business ownership, recent income changes) see larger variance. Worth running for any prospective student.
Step-by-step process
5-minute estimator. Family income, assets, household size, expected savings. Results show estimated aid + net cost. No sign-up required; data not stored.
How to apply for aid
Application process
Step 1 — FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Available October 1 each year. Required for all federal + most state aid. Caldwell’s school code: 002711.
Step 2 — CSS Profile
College Scholarship Service Profile. Required for Caldwell-administered need-based aid. Includes more detail than FAFSA. Cost: $25 (waivable for income-eligible students).
Step 3 — Tax documents
Most recent year’s tax returns. Submit through Caldwell financial aid portal. May request 2 years for some applications.
Step 4 — Verification
Some applications selected for verification. Random or income-thresholded. Typically requires submitting tax transcripts + W-2s + 1099s.
Step 5 — Aid offer
Aid offer included with admissions decision. Specific dollar amounts for grants, scholarships, work-study, loans. Family signs + submits to confirm enrollment.
Step 6 — Annual renewal
Re-apply each year. Same FAFSA + CSS Profile process. Aid amounts adjust for changing family circumstances. Most families see similar aid year over year.
Aid + cost questions
What families ask
- First-year domestic applicants: no — we’re need-blind. Admissions decisions made without seeing financial aid application. Need-aware for transfer + international applicants. Need-based aid available for all admitted students.