Figuring Out Financial Aid
CBU strives to make a private Christian education affordable. There are a variety of financial aid options available that help students reduce their cost to attend CBU. Let’s start with some questions you may be asking.
Will my family be able to afford CBU?
At CBU, students from every income bracket are represented:
48% of new students' families earn less than $80,000 per year who started at CBU in fall 2023.
How much does it cost to attend CBU?
To figure out how much CBU will cost, we first need to make a distinction between the sticker price and the actual cost that a student pays to attend.
For the 2024–2025 school year, the sticker price is $53,678 for students living on campus and $41,498 for students who commute. This is not the price you will pay. The price you will pay is the actual cost, which we will explain further!
You may qualify for financial aid to reduce this price and discover your actual cost.
Subtract Grants
A grant is free money that you do not have to pay back. Grants are need-based aid and eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Some grants are funded by CBU in the form of institutional aid, while others are government funded. Use the net price calculator to see the aid you may be offered.
Here are some examples: Federal Pell Grant, Cal Grant, FSEOG and CBU Grant.
Subtract Loans
A loan is money that you borrow that you repay, usually after graduation. This money can be borrowed from the government and/or private loan lenders. As a Freshman, you can qualify for up to $5,500 of Direct Federal student loans per year. You can apply for other loans as needed.
= Actual Cost
This is the cost that remains after subtracting scholarships, grants and/or loans that you may have been offered. Think of this as the price you will actually pay to attend CBU.
How does CBU compare?
CBU compares favorably to other four-year private institutions.
* Based on the 23-24 academic year, and The College Board, 2024
But I must graduate with a lot of debt right?
Not exactly. Students can borrow less than their financial aid award depending on what they need.
*Data Source: College Scorecard, 2023
What if I have more questions?
For more information about financial aid, be sure to check out our upcoming Financial Aid Events! These events help prospective students and families clearly understand all of the steps necessary to be financially ready to attend CBU.
You can also download CBU’s quick-reference financial aid flyer: