Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it may cost you to attend Shasta College for one academic year. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, food, housing, transportation, and personal expenses. The Financial Aid Office uses the COA to calculate your eligibility for financial aid, and it can also help you plan and manage your personal budget.
Your actual expenses may vary depending on your individual circumstances. We encourage students to plan ahead and determine their actual budget before enrolling. Helpful tools are available on our Financial Literacy Resources page.
Cost of Attendance VS. Tuition & Fees – What’s the Difference?
Tuition and fees are the direct charges from the college for enrolling in classes. The COA includes those charges plus estimated indirect expenses like housing, food, transportation, and other personal costs.
To view our current tuition and fee amounts, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
2025-2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance (Full Time Enrollment: 12+ units)
Standard Budget 9-month full time student
| Student Budget Expenses | Living with parent | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus/Away from parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees* | $1,204 | $1,204 | $1,204 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,090 | $1,090 | $1,090 |
| Food | $11,835 | $7,533 | $7,533 |
| Housing** | **Included in above | $9,100 | $15,219 |
| Transportation | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| Personal / Miscellaneous | $4,140 | $5,067 | $5,067 |
| Budget for a California Resident Student | $20,469 | $26,194 | $32,313 |
| Non-Resident Tuition ($322/unit in addition to $46/unit Enrollment Fees) | $7,728 | $7,728 | $7,728 |
| Budget for a Non-Resident Student | $28,197 | $33,922 | $40,041 |
| Oregon Reciprocity Fees ($73/unit enrollment fee) | $1,850 | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| Budget for an Oregon Reciprocity Student | $21,115 | $26,840 | $32,959 |
*Fees include Enrollment Fee; Campus Center Fee; Health Services Fee; Student Representation. For fee pricing, please see Tuition & Fees.
**Housing cost for Living with Parent is incorporated into Food amount; On-campus housing cost is based on single-occupancy room. See Cost of Housing for more information.
Additional Cost of Attendance Tables
| Student Budget Expenses | Living with parent | Living on-Campus | Living Off-Campus/away from parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees* | $651 | $651 | |
| Books and Supplies | $545 | $545 | |
| Food | $11,835 | $7,353 | |
| Housing** | **Included in above | $15,219 | |
| Transportation | $1,100 | $1,100 | |
| Personal / Miscellaneous | $4,140 | $5,067 | |
| Budget for a California Resident Student | $18,271 | $29,935 | |
| Non-Resident Tuition ($322/unit in addition to $46/unit Enrollment Fees) | $3,864 | *On-Campus Housing (Dorms) require a minimum of 12 units. | $3,864 |
| Budget for a Non-Resident Student | $22,135 | $33,799 | |
| Oregon Reciprocity Fees ($73/unit enrollment fee) | $973 | $973 | |
| Budget for an Oregon Reciprocity Student | $18,593 | $30,257 |
*Fees include Enrollment Fee; Campus Center Fee; Health Services Fee; Student Representation. For fee pricing, please see Tuition & Fees.
**Housing cost for Living with Parent is incorporated into Food amount; On-campus housing cost is based on single-occupancy room. See Cost of Housing for more information.
| Student Budget Expenses | Living with parent | Living on-Campus | Living Off-Campus/Away From parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees* | $1,204 | $1,204 | $1,204 |
| Tuition | $2,016 | $2,016 | $2,016 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,090 | $1,090 | $1,090 |
| Food | $11,835 | $7,533 | $7,533 |
| Housing** | **Included in above | $9,100 | $15,219 |
| Transportation | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| Personal / Miscellaneous | $4,140 | $5,067 | $5,067 |
| Budget for a California Resident Student | $22,485 | $28,210 | $34,329 |
| Non-Resident Tuition ($322/unit in addition to $46/unit Enrollment Fees) | $7,728 | $7,728 | $7,728 |
| Budget for a Non-Resident Student | $30,213 | $35,938 | $42,057 |
| Oregon Reciprocity Fees ($73/unit enrollment fee) | $1,850 | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| Budget for an Oregon Reciprocity Student | $23,131 | $28,856 | $34,975 |
*Fees include Enrollment Fee; Campus Center Fee; Health Services Fee; Student Representation. For fee pricing, please see Tuition & Fees.
**Housing cost for Living with Parent is incorporated into Food amount; On-campus housing cost is based on single-occupancy room. See Cost of Housing for more information.
| Student Budget Expenses | Living with parent | Living on-Campus | Living Off-Campus/away from parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees* | $591 | $591 | |
| Books and Supplies | $545 | $545 | |
| Food | $2,959 | $1,884 | |
| Housing** | **Included in above | $3,805 | |
| Transportation | $550 | $550 | |
| Personal / Miscellaneous | $1,035 | $1,267 | |
| Budget for a California Resident Student | $5,680 | $8,642 | |
| Non-Resident Tuition ($322/unit in addition to $46/unit Enrollment Fees) | $7,728 | *On-Campus Housing (Dorms) require a minimum of 12 units. | $7,728 |
| Budget for a Non-Resident Student | $13,408 | $16,370 | |
| Oregon Reciprocity Fees ($73/unit enrollment fee) | $1,850 | $1,850 | |
| Budget for an Oregon Reciprocity Student | $6,939 | $9,901 |
*Fees include Enrollment Fee; Campus Center Fee; Health Services Fee; Student Representation. For fee pricing, please see Tuition & Fees.
**Housing cost for Living with Parent is incorporated into Food amount; On-campus housing cost is based on single-occupancy room. See Cost of Housing for more information.
Net Price Calculator
The Net Price Calculator is a tool that provides a general estimate of your out-of-pocket costs might be after financial aid. It uses data from a previous year to subtract estimated financial aid from your total cost of attendance.
To access the Net Price Calculator, visit the Shasta College Net Price Calculator website.
What is Student Aid Index (SAI)?
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number used by financial aid offices to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. It is calculated using a formula established by the Department of Education.
- The SAI is based on the information you provide on your FAFSA.
- The calculation includes details of your tax return and the net worth of your assets.
- The SAI is not a dollar amount of aid eligibility or what your family is expected to provide.
To learn more, visit the SAI formula guide and How SAI is Calculated.
What is Financial Need?
Financial Need is the difference between your Cost of Attendance and your Student Aid Index.
Cost of Attendance (COA) - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need
Most financial aid is awarded based on your financial need. However:
- Your financial aid awards cannot exceed your calculated financial need.
- The amount calculated is the maximum you could receive, not a guarantee of what you will be awarded.