Principia College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Principia College was $32,250 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 7.61%–from $29,970 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Principia College meets 96% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Principia College is around $33,865 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $29,784 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Principia College

Principia College is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Illinois as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending an insitution where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save significant money on the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to verify your state's criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Principia College International Student Tuition

Tuition at Principia College is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Principia College:

•Principia College-specific loans •Principia College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Principia College Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Principia College.

Room and Board Costs at Principia College

Room and board at Principia College costs $13,370 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Principia College's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Principia College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city can be costly, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Principia College campus is located in a rural area in Illinois, near St. Louis.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Principia College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Principia College.

Total Cost of Principia College

What will the cost of attending Principia College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$32,250
Room and Board	$13,370
Other expenses	$1,250

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$47,900
Off-Campus	$33,280

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Principia College Financial Aid

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The majority of Principia College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 243 of the 314 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Principia College meets 96% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $33,865 a year. Around 74% of Principia College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Principia College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $29,784 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$0
Principia College-Specific Loans	$24,193
Private Loans	$11,384

Most Common Loans for Principia College Students
Institutional Loans	60%
Private loans	13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Principia College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Principia College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Principia College awarded 243 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $6.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.59 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Principia College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Principia College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Principia College was $33,865 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Principia College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$14,035
Off-Campus	$-585

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Principia College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Principia College's net cost calculator on their website.

Principia College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Principia College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Principia College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Principia College's endowment was valued at $377.5 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $24,387 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Principia College

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