<p>Cost of attendance includes food, books, and personal expenses, as m2CK said.
And 8,000 for personal expenses (regardless of “in addition to COA” or “as part of”) is… luxurious.
Do you intend on eating out every other day and going on expensive trips? How do you expect to spend that much money?
As a college student, your personal expenses shouldn’t be over a fourth of that. Remember that in COA your food and book costs are covered, so it’d just be pocket money. Which, by the way, shouldn’t come out of your parents’ pocket since they’re already paying for the rest, but from your own work if you wish a discretionary income.</p>
<p>Now, to answer your original question: unless there is a “4 year guarantee”, yes, college costs increase at about twice the rate of inflation (3% increase to be expected each year).</p>