Decoding Carroll College Tuition: A Comprehensive Guide to Costs, Financial Aid, and Affordability

Carroll College, a private Catholic liberal arts institution in the Pacific Northwest, is often perceived as an expensive option. However, with a variety of financial resources available, attending Carroll College might be more affordable than you think. This article provides a detailed breakdown of Carroll College's tuition costs, financial aid options, and payment policies to help prospective students and their families make informed decisions.

Understanding the Sticker Price and Total Cost of Attendance

Carroll College's tuition is $41,484, which is less than the national average of $47,097. This figure represents the "sticker price," encompassing both tuition and fees that support various campus services like library access, gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and health services.

However, the sticker price doesn't paint the whole picture. To get a clearer understanding of the actual cost, it's essential to consider the "total cost of attendance." This includes tuition and fees, along with expenses like:

Room and Board: As part of Carroll College’s commitment to being a uniquely engaged residential learning community, students will be expected to live in campus housing as part of their education. All unmarried students under the age of 21 are required to live on campus for the first three years and are encouraged to live on campus all four years. All students residing at the college must have a meal plan. Room and board rates include the non-transferable right to occupy the room assigned and to participate in the meal plan except during vacation periods when the residence halls and dining facilities are closed as indicated in the official college calendar. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the yearly rate for a double room and a three-meal-a-day plan is $12,594.
Books and Supplies: An allowance of $800 per year is included in the total cost of attendance.
Personal Expenses: The total cost of attendance includes allowances for Personal Expenses of $1,900.
Transportation: A transportation allowance of $1,400 is factored into the total cost.
Loan Fees: A loan fee of $72 is included in the total cost of attendance.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the estimated yearly rate for a double room and three-meal-a-day meal plan is $12,594, with required fees adding another $1,452. Factoring in these elements, the total cost of attendance for the year amounts to $61,478.

Navigating Financial Aid Options

Carroll College offers various financial aid options to make education accessible. Financial aid packages can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs, tailored to a student's financial need. Most colleges, including Carroll, determine financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Read also: Exploring Carroll College Library

Net Price Calculator: Carroll College provides a Net Price Calculator to help incoming freshman-level students estimate their federal student aid index (SAI) and out-of-pocket costs. The Net Price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. The calculator uses figures for the 2026-2027 academic year and student aid eligibility requirements, but it's essential to complete the FAFSA for an official financial aid package. Actual financial aid may differ from the estimates provided by the calculator.
Scholarships and Grants: Scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. Carroll College students benefit from scholarships and awards, with 99% receiving an institutional scholarship.
Loans: Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid, typically after graduation.
Work-Study: Work-study programs offer students the opportunity to work part-time on campus to earn money to help cover expenses.

The average full-time Carroll financial aid package is significant, often covering over half the total cost of attendance. For students receiving the maximum financial aid gift, the cost to attend Carroll can be comparable to the in-state cost at Montana’s public universities.

Understanding Need-Based and Merit-Based Aid

Financial aid is broadly categorized into need-based and merit-based aid:

Need-based aid is awarded based on a student's financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. This can include need-based scholarships, grants, federal loans, and work-study. Carroll's average Need Based Scholarship is $26,328.
Merit-based aid, also known as non-need-based aid, is awarded for specific talents, athletic abilities, or academic achievements.

Financial Aid for International Students

This calculator is not intended for current, transfer, readmit, or international students. International freshmen students can determine merit scholarships HERE. International transfer students can determine merit scholarships HERE.

Key Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines

Financial Aid Application Due: While the specific date isn't provided, it's crucial to apply for financial aid and submit all related paperwork by the deadline.
Priority Application Due: Applying before this date gives your application the strongest consideration.
Notification Date: This is when students receive letters detailing the amount and types of aid the college is offering.
Response Due: Students must respond to the college's aid offer by this deadline.

Payment Policies and Procedures

Carroll College offers various payment options and policies to help students manage their financial obligations:

Tuition and Fees: Undergraduate full-time tuition covers 12 to 19 semester credits, with additional charges for credits exceeding 19. Tuition and fees are adjusted annually.
Payment Due Dates: Payment due dates are listed in the Payment Policy section under Payment Information.
Payment Methods: The College accepts cash or checks at the Business Office. Tuition payments by electronic check or credit/debit cards must be made on-line. Cards accepted are Mastercard, Discover, Visa, and American Express. Students make online payments at the Saints Student Account Center.
Installment Payment Plan: Carroll College offers students an interest-free installment payment plan. Students enroll in a payment plan online at the Saints Student Account Center. Late enrollments are allowed each semester. A non-refundable $50 set-up fee will be charged per semester agreement. Payments are due the first day of the month and delinquent if not received by the 10th day. Delinquent accounts are subject to a $10 late fee. All balances in accounts receivable that have not been paid by the end of the month may be assessed a finance charge of 1 percent per month (12% annual) on the unpaid month-end balance. All accounts must be cleared by the end of each semester.
Late Payment Fee: A late payment fee of $100 is charged per semester.
Returned Payment Fee: A charge of $30 will be assessed each time that a payment is returned by a bank; this amount will be charged to the student’s account.
Withdrawal and Refunds: Should a student withdraw from the College, the following policies apply in computing the refund due to the student or the balance due to the College. The official withdrawal date is determined by the date the student begins the withdrawal process at the Registrar’s Office or officially notifies the Registrar of his/her intent to withdraw or the official date of suspension. In instances where a student withdraws from Carroll College due to personal reasons, administrative withdrawal, or suspension; the student’s tuition and student fees will be charged based on the date of withdrawal. In instances where an undergraduate student drops from some courses but continues others, no tuition refund is made for reduction of credit hours after the last day to change course enrollment as shown in the academic calendar. In instances where a student withdraws from Carroll College due to personal reasons, administrative withdrawal, or suspension; the student’s institutional financial aid will be reduced based on the date of withdrawal during the semester. Federal regulations require that a portion of Title IV grants or loans be returned to the Title IV program upon a recipient’s withdrawal from school.
Consequences of Non-Payment: The student’s account will be considered in default if payments are not made when due, including failure to make payments due to insufficient funds in an account upon which payment is drawn or failure to make scheduled payments on a Payment Plan Agreement. Failure to pay will result in the following: 1) The student may be immediately withdrawn from classes (see administrative withdrawal from the College); 2) The student will not be able to receive formal grade reports or transcripts; 3) The student will not be able to register for subsequent terms; (4) The student’s housing and meal plans may be affected; 5) The student’s access to Carroll’s computer network may be denied; 6) The student will not receive a diploma upon graduation; 7) The student’s debt may be referred to a collection agency; and 8) The student’s repayment history may be referred to a credit bureau.
Appeals Process: The Appeals Committee of Carroll College will review written appeals from students who feel that individual circumstances warrant exceptions to published policy. Written appeals must be received within 90 days from the last day of attendance. Such appeals should be directed to the Carroll College, Business Office-Appeals Committee, 1601 N. Benton Avenue, Helena, MT 59625-0002. The undergraduate student must complete the Petition to Waive Late Payment Fee form. The form must be received at the Business Office by September 15th for the fall semester and by February 15th for the spring semester.

Housing and Meal Plan Costs and Policies

As part of Carroll College’s commitment to being a uniquely engaged residential learning community, students will be expected to live in campus housing as part of their education. All unmarried students under the age of 21 are required to live on campus for the first three years and are encouraged to live on campus all four years. All students residing at the college must have a meal plan.

Housing Requirements: As part of Carroll College’s commitment to being a uniquely engaged residential learning community, students will be expected to live in campus housing as part of their education. All unmarried students under the age of 21 are required to live on campus for the first three years and are encouraged to live on campus all four years. All students residing at the college must have a meal plan.
Housing Options and Rates: Carroll College offers various residence halls with different room types and rates. Rates are per semester.
- Guadalupe: Double as a Single* ($3,602.00), Deluxe Double ($3,269.00), Double ($2,955.00), Triple/Quad ($2,955.00)
- St. Charles: Double as a Single* ($3,594.00), Economy Double as Single* ($3,394.00), Deluxe Double ($3,269.00), Double ($2,955.00), Economy Double ($2,750.00), Deluxe Quad ($3,269.00), Triple/Quad ($2,955.00)
- Borromeo: Double as a Single* ($3,594.00), Single ($3,394.00), Deluxe Double ($3,269.00), Double ($2,955.00), Triple/Quad ($2,955.00)
- Trinity: Double as Single* ($3,778.00), Quad/Single Bedroom ($3,578.00), Quad/Shared Bedroom ($3,269.00)Note: Any room with the designation "Double as Single" will come with two full sets of furniture.
Meal Plans: All students residing at the college must have a meal plan. Meal plan selections are for the academic year and are non-transferable. Students are offered the opportunity to change their meal plan selection each semester through Friday of the week school begins. For the 2023-24 academic year, students not living in the Residence Halls (Guadalupe, St. Anytime Dining meal plans have unlimited access to the STAC during operating hours. Unused Flex dollars carry forward from fall semester to spring semester only if a meal plan is purchased spring semester. Students may also take advantage of an “add-on” to their meal plan, the “golden ticket".
Golden Ticket Program: For $375 per semester, any student who has an Anytime Dining meal plan can enroll in the Golden Ticket program.
Housing Agreement Release: Students who want to be released from this contract for any reason before the end of the contract period must file a Request for Residence Hall Housing Agreement Release with the Residential Life and Housing Office.
Dining Program: The dining program at Carroll College is fashioned to build community and simultaneously reduce food anxiety for our students. While many colleges promote three meals a day in narrow meal windows, Carroll’s dining program operates a continuous service Dining Commons, and on-campus meal plans provide unlimited access during operating hours. Thus, students can step in for a full meal, a quick snack, or an extended study session, utilizing the St.

Additional Fees

Course Fees: The College levies non-refundable program, laboratory, course, and workshop fees for courses involving specialized equipment, software, or other supplies.
Technology Fee: A technology fee is charged per semester.
Program Fees: Certain programs, such as Nursing, Engineering, and Anthrozoology, have additional program fees.
Graduating Student Fee: A one-time fee is charged to graduating students.
Late Graduation Application Submission Fee: A one-time fee is charged if applicable.
Orientation Fee: A one-time fee is charged.

Student Loan Debt

At Carroll College, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $25,757. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $273.

Resources and Support

Carroll College provides resources and support to help students navigate the financial aid process:

Financial Aid Counselors: Financial aid counselors are available to answer questions and assist students with scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. They can be contacted at (406) 447-5425 or (800) 992-3648 ext.
Business Office: The Business Office handles student accounts and payment-related inquiries. Communications can be addressed to Carroll College Business Office, 1601 N.

Read also: Carroll's Career Services

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