Cost of Attendance
What is Cost of Attendance?
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total average cost a student may pay while attending the Alamo Colleges for one academic year. These costs are either directly payable to Alamo Colleges District, or indirectly paid as part of normal living expenses.
- Tuition and Fees: The average cost of tuition and fees for an undergraduate student based on full-time enrollment (15 hours Fall/Spring). To view the Alamo Tuition and Fees page, click here.
- Housing and Food: A reasonable estimate of what it would cost to live in San Antonio while attending school. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances.
- Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment: The average cost of these materials for a typical student for an entire academic year.
- Transportation: Average transportation expenses are based on an average 30 mile round trip to campus. Actual transportation costs will vary depending on personal proximity to the campus and mode of transportation.
- Personal and Miscellaneous: Average expenses are calculated based on potential expenses that students might incur such as personal computers, personal items, or emergency expenses.
- Direct Costs: Costs billed by the Alamo Colleges through your ACES student account. Your tuition and fees are considered a direct cost.
- Indirect Costs: Costs associated with basic living expenses. Your housing, food, transportation, school supplies, and personal expenses are all considered indirect costs paid at the student's discretion.
- In-District Texas Student: A Texas resident who resides in Bexar County.
- Out-of-District Texas Student: A Texas resident who does not reside in Bexar County.
- Non-Texas Student: A U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident who has not lived in Texas for the past 12 months
Texas In-District Student
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees | $3,412 | $3,412 |
| Housing and Food | $7,836 | $14,252 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,904 | $2,904 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,802 | $2,802 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $17,454 | $23,870 |
Texas Out-of-District Student
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees | $5,542 | $5,542 |
| Housing and Food | $7,836 | $14,252 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,904 | $2,904 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,802 | $2,802 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $19,584 | $26,000 |
Non-Texas Resident Student
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees | $9,952 | $9,952 |
| Housing and Food | $7,836 | $14,252 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,904 | $2,904 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,802 | $2,802 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $23,994 | $30,410 |
What is COA used for?
The Student Financial Aid Office is responsible for creating the COA annually to determine the maximum amount of financial aid a student may receive for the year. The COA is commonly referred to as a “budget,” as the total amount of grants, scholarships, and loans awarded to a student may not exceed the cost of attendance.
How is my COA determined?
A student's COA will be determined based upon their Residency status — whether they are classified as In-District, Out-of-District, or Non-Texas Resident.
It will also depend on a student's Dependency status — whether they are classified as Dependent or Independent on their financial aid application. D.
Should your actual residence plans differ from this automated assignment, please contact our office to complete a Confirmation of Housing Status Form.
How do I request changes to my COA?
The Student Financial Aid office understands that there may be unexpected personal expenses and education costs that are not accounted for in the published COA.
Students with special circumstances may submit a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form, in order for our office to make a determination on if changes are possible. The form may be requested by contacting the Student Financial Aid office.
- Educational expenses above the estimated COA
- Housing and food expenses above the estimated COA
- Transportation expenses above estimated COA (uninsured repairs or round-trip mileage over 150 miles/week)
- Computer purchase expense (considered only once as an Alamo student)
- Unusual medical, dental, vision expenses during the current academic year
- Childcare or private school expenses for dependents during the current academic year
- Professional license/credential certification costs
Past Years Cost of Attendance
Texas In-District Student
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home* |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees ** | $3,412 | $3,412 |
| Housing and Food | $7,126 | $14,250 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,903 | $2,903 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $16,742 | $23,866 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs**: | $3,412 | $3,412 |
Texas Out-of-District Student
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home* |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees ** | $9,952 | $9,952 |
| Housing and Food | $7,126 | $14,250 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,903 | $2,903 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $23,282 | $30,406 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs**: | $9,952 | $9,952 |
Non-Texas Student
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home* |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees ** | $5,542 | $5,542 |
| Housing and Food | $7,126 | $14,250 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,903 | $2,903 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $18,872 | $25,996 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs**: | $5,542 | $5,542 |
*All student's residence assignments are automated from their FAFSA or TASFA. . Should your actual residence plans differ from our automated assignment, please contact our office to complete a Confirmation of Housing Status Form.
**Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2024 and 15 hours Spring 2025.