Cost of Attendance
Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total cost of completing one academic year (fall and spring semesters) at Colorado State University Pueblo. This figure represents more than just tuition and fees — it also includes housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Understanding your COA helps you plan ahead, compare schools, and determine how much financial aid you may qualify for. Actual costs vary depending on your enrollment status, academic program, and living arrangements.
At a Glance
- Includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, and personal expenses.
- Used to calculate your financial aid eligibility.
- Updated annually based on CSU Pueblo’s tuition and cost standards.
Estimated Cost of Attendance (2024–2025)
The tables below show the estimated annual Cost of Attendance (COA) for full-time students at CSU Pueblo. Each table represents a different student category. These figures include tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
| Living Arrangement | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| On-Campus | $29,824 |
| Off-Campus | $34,934 |
| Commuter (With Parents) | $25,612 |
| Living Arrangement | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| On-Campus | $40,444 |
| Off-Campus | $45,554 |
| Commuter (With Parents) | $36,232 |
| Living Arrangement | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| On-Campus | $27,126 |
| Off-Campus | $32,236 |
| Commuter (With Parents) | $23,512 |
| Living Arrangement | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| On-Campus | $33,984 |
| Off-Campus | $39,094 |
| Commuter (With Parents) | $30,812 |
*All estimates are for the 2024-2025 academic year and based on full-time enrollment. Costs are subject to change each year. For detailed program-specific rates, contact Student Financial Services .
How Your Cost of Attendance Is Calculated
CSU Pueblo calculates your Cost of Attendance (COA) using standard allowances that reflect the average expenses students typically incur during a nine-month academic year. Your COA represents the total estimated cost of being a full-time student and forms the foundation for determining your financial aid eligibility.
Components of the Cost of Attendance
- Tuition & Fees: Based on your enrollment level, residency status, and program of study.
- Housing & Meals: Estimated living expenses depending on whether you live on-campus, off-campus, or at home.
- Books & Supplies: Average cost of textbooks, course materials, and equipment.
- Transportation: Estimated cost of travel between home, school, and work.
- Personal & Miscellaneous Expenses: Allowance for personal care, clothing, and recreation.
These components are established annually by the Office of Student Financial Services using student surveys, regional cost-of-living data, and federal guidelines. Actual expenses will vary depending on your personal spending habits, housing choices, and enrollment level.
Direct vs. Indirect Costs
Direct costs are billed by CSU Pueblo, such as tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus housing. Indirect costs are estimated expenses not billed by the university, such as books, transportation, and off-campus living costs. Together, these make up your total Cost of Attendance.
Example Breakdown
- Direct Costs: Tuition, Fees, On-Campus Housing, Meal Plan
- Indirect Costs: Books, Supplies, Transportation, Personal Expenses
For specific questions about how your individual COA is determined or how adjustments may be made for special circumstances, please contact financialaid@csupueblo.edu .
Why Cost of Attendance Matters for Financial Aid
Your Cost of Attendance (COA) plays a vital role in determining your financial aid eligibility. The COA is used in combination with your family’s financial information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate how much aid you can receive.
How COA and FAFSA Work Together
Financial aid eligibility is determined by comparing your COA with your Student Aid Index (SAI) — the number calculated from your FAFSA.
The basic formula is:
Cost of Attendance (COA) – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need
Once your financial need is determined, CSU Pueblo builds a financial aid package that may include grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans. Aid amounts cannot exceed your COA, ensuring that total assistance stays within the federally defined cost limits.
Types of Financial Aid Impacted by COA
- Federal Grants — such as Pell Grants, are need-based and calculated from your COA and FAFSA results.
- State Grants — like the Colorado Student Grant, rely on the same financial need formula.
- Institutional Scholarships — CSU Pueblo merit- and need-based scholarships use COA to determine award limits.
- Loans and Work-Study — are included as part of your aid package but cannot exceed your COA.
Understanding Your Aid Package
Your total aid — including grants, scholarships, and loans — is designed to meet your financial need as calculated from the COA. Reviewing your financial aid offer in PAWS will help you understand how each source contributes to your educational expenses.
For help reviewing your aid package or estimating remaining costs after aid, contact the Student Financial Services Office at financialaid@csupueblo.edu or visit the office in Administration 212.
Additional Resources & Contact Information
We encourage all students to explore the following financial-aid tools and resources to help plan and manage educational costs.
Complete Your FAFSA
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid.
Start FAFSAExplore Scholarships
CSU Pueblo offers a wide range of merit- and need-based scholarships for Colorado residents and transfer students.
View ScholarshipsContact Student Financial Services
- Office Location: Administration Building Room 212
- Phone: 719-549-2753
- Fax: 719-549-2088
- Email: financialaid@csupueblo.edu
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Visit our office or email us for assistance with FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, or understanding your financial aid package.
This page is maintained by CSU Pueblo Student Financial Services and is updated annually to reflect the latest tuition and aid information.
