The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it sets a limit on the total aid that a student may receive.
Peninsula College uses cost of attendance for in-state students, out-of-state students, Bachelor's degree in-state students, and Bachelor's degree out-of-state students. The figures listed below are for students enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits) for Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and Spring 2026 quarters of the 2025–2026 academic year. This is not a bill. While some expenses are fixed (tuition and fees), others are influenced and controlled by the student’s lifestyle (housing and personal expenses).
| 2025–2026 | In-State | Out-of-State | Bachelor's Degree In-State |
Bachelor's Degree Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Fees | $5,403 | $5,964 | $8,250 | $8,811 |
| Books & Supplies | $528 | $528 | $528 | $528 |
| Food & Housing | $19,470 | $19,470 | $19,470 | $19,470 |
| Transportation | $3,069 | $3,069 | $3,069 | $3,069 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,908 | $1,908 | $1,908 | $1,908 |
| Total | $30,378 | $30,939 | $33,225 | $33,786 |
Peninsula College Tuition & Fees
The Cost of Attendance is used, along with the Student Aid Index (1), to determine students' financial need. The formula is as follows: Cost of Attendance - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need
1. The Student Aid Index (SAI) - previously known as the Estimated Family Contribution or "EFC" - is a number prepared by the Federal Processor after financial aid application data (from the FAFSA or WASFA) is analyzed.
2. Tuition is estimated using Spring 2025 tuition, 15 credits, plus technology, student life, graduation, and transportation fees, rounded to the nearest dollar. These amounts are used for financial aid budgeting purposes.
3. Additional cost of attendance items can include:
- License, certification, or first professional credential (if applicable and required for the profession)**
- Federal student loan origination fees
- Dependent care expenses**
- Disability-related expenses**
**Supporting documentation is required to include these additional costs in your budget for the year.
The estimates used for books/supplies, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous/personal are calculated by the WA Financial Aid Association (WFAA) through a 2023 survey of 2,900+ students living in WA State, in conjunction with the Consumer Price Index.