Cost of Attending Riverland

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what one year of college might cost a student.  COA is also used in determining how much and what types of financial aid a student can receive.  The COA includes costs that are billed directly to a student’s school account, like tuition and fees.  It also includes items that are indirect costs of school, such as rent, food or gasoline. 

The amounts listed below are used in formulas to determine financial aid, not what the student will actually pay.  Actual costs will vary depending upon classes the student takes, where they live and how they get to campus.

You do not need $27,548 to attend Riverland.

Tuition and fees for a full-time student taking 15 credits are about $7,428 per year. The rest of the total reflects everyday living expenses like housing, food, and transportation—costs you would have whether or not you are in school. Grants and scholarships (types of financial aid you don’t have to repay) help cover costs and lower the amount you may need to pay out of pocket or take out loans for.

2025 - 2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance

(9-month school year for full-time students, 15 credits per semester)

Estimated cost of attendance for a full-time student, academic year
Expense Category Estimated Cost (USD)
Tuition and Fees $7,428.00
Books, Supplies and Materials $1,600.00
Housing and Food * $11,020.00
Personal Expenses $4,500.00
Transportation $3,000.00
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $27,548.00

* Housing and Food is a budgeting average the Financial Aid Office uses for every student. Your real cost depends on where and how you live, and may be much lower if you live with family.

All amounts are estimates in U.S. dollars for one academic year. Actual costs may vary. If you take fewer than 15 credits a semester (less than full-time), your estimated cost is adjusted to match the number of credits you take.

What goes into the estimate

Personal Expenses

This estimate includes:

  • Health and personal care
  • Clothing and laundry

Additional Information

  • Costs are averages and may differ for each student.
  • Your actual expenses will depend on your lifestyle and choices.