Principia College

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Principia College was $29,970 a year.

Tuition was the same price in 2022 as it was the year before. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students pay a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until after graduation.

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

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

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Tuition for International Students at Principia College

Principia College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Principia College-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify 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 Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Principia College.

House and Food Costs at Principia College

Housing and campus dining at Principia College is $12,270 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Principia College?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real 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

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Principia College

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Principia College, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area can be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. Principia Collegeis in a rural setting in Illinois, not far from St. Louis.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Principia College

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Principia College.

How Much Does Principia College Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$29,970
Room and Board	$12,270
Other expenses	$1,000

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$45,090
Off-Campus	$32,820

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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Financial Aid at Principia College

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The majority of Principia College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2022, 286 of the 455 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Principia College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $35,689 a year. Around 52% 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 $20,588 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$0
Principia College-Specific Loans	$20,588
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for Principia College Students
Institutional Loans	52%

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 2022, Principia College awarded 286 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $6.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4.1 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 $35,689 in 2022. 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	$9,401
Off-Campus	$-2,869

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.

Principia College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

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

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Learn More About Principia College

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