Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) budget is to assist you in planning for the costs associated with your education for the current academic year. These costs are average estimates based on full-time enrollment (12 credits) for a dependent or independent student. The Cost of Attendance should not be confused with the costs that will show directly on your Account Statement (bill).
The COA is the cornerstone of establishing your financial need, and it limits the total aid you may receive. The COA includes Direct Costs - those paid directly to CEI, such as tuition/general fees. It also includes Indirect Costs - those that will not be on your bills, such as books, personal expenses, transportation, and room and board.
The current 2022-2023 tuition/general fee rate is $140 per credit for In-District Residents. The Out-of-District rate is an additional $50 per credit up to $500; the Out-of-State rate is $280 per credit.
Below is an estimate of the expenses an average CEI student is likely to encounter for a semester or academic year. The COA is based on several factors, such as housing, enrollment, and state residency.
Estimated Cost of Education Budget
Dependent Living with Parent
| Expenses | One Semester | Two Semesters |
| Tuition and General Fees | $1,695 | $3,390 |
| Average Program Cost* | $732 | $1,464 |
| Books, Equipment, Supplies, Course Materials | $794 | $1,588 |
| Housing and Food | $1,706 | $3,412 |
| Transportation | $1,217 | $2,434 |
| Loan Fees | $76 | $152 |
| Personal Expenses | $837 | $1,674 |
| TOTALS | $7,057 | $14,114 |
*Note- Average program costs are an average of all programs combined. Some program costs are higher than others. For example, some Health Care program costs range from $2,000 to $6,000. General Education programs' costs range from $60-$300. For specific program costs, please see the CEI Catalog.
Independent Living Off-Campus
| Expenses | One Semester | Two Semesters |
| Tuition and General Fees | $1,695 | $3,390 |
| Average Program Cost* | $732 | $1,464 |
| Books, Equipment, Supplies, Course Materials | $794 | $1,588 |
| Housing and Food | $4,550 | $9,100 |
| Transportation | $1,217 | $2,434 |
| Loan Fees | $76 | $152 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,673 | $3,346 |
| TOTALS | $10,737 | $21,474 |
Out-of-State Non-Resident
| Expenses | One Semester | Two Semesters |
| Tuition and General Fees | $3,375 | $6,750 |
| Average Program Cost* | $732 | $1,464 |
| Books, Equipment, Supplies, Course Materials | $794 | $1,588 |
| Housing and Food | $4,550 | $9,100 |
| Transportation | $1,217 | $2,434 |
| Loan Fees | $76 | $152 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,673 | $3,346 |
| TOTALS | $12,417 | $24,834 |
Total Cost of Attendance
- Tuition/General Fees - Estimate of the tuition/general fees that will be charged to the student account, based on full-time enrollment (12 credits), current CEI tuition/general fee rates.
- Average Program Costs - In addition to tuition/general fees, a student can expect to pay costs related to their programs, such as tools, supplies, testing, and miscellaneous fees. Estimated costs for program requirements based on an average of CEI programs.
- Books and Supplies - Estimate the cost for books and other required supplies based on the average bookstore charges.
- Room and Board - Estimate the amount you may need for housing and meals while attending school, based on the United States Census Bureau for Bonneville County and the State of Idaho.
- Transportation - Estimate the amount you may pay or the cost of traveling to and from school.
- Personal Expenses - Estimate the amount you may need for miscellaneous costs.