<p>OP, you will probably want to look at the net price calculators for schools you are interested in. It tells you what your likely cost of attendance is (although not so accurate if your parents are divorced, own a small business, or own rental property). Even if you don’t expect aid, it gives your parents a REAL number to look at. Lots of parents say they will pay, then sing a different tune in April when they see the actual cost of places where their kid was admitted. Much better to have that conversation this summer than after applications have gone in.</p>