PathGauge

Compare training programs by total investment

The cheaper tuition quote is not always the lower-cost route. Enter each program’s full cash costs, grants or employer aid you will not repay, and income you expect to give up.

Changing this label does not convert amounts. Use one currency for both programs.

Program A

Use the written quote for the full program.

Include required registration, lab, or technology fees.

Include only items you expect to buy.

Enter only housing or living costs caused by this option.

Add costs that differ between the two programs.

Enter only aid you will not repay.

Estimate paid income you expect to miss while attending.

Program B

Use the written quote for the full program.

Include required registration, lab, or technology fees.

Include only items you expect to buy.

Enter only housing or living costs caused by this option.

Add costs that differ between the two programs.

Enter only aid you will not repay.

Estimate paid income you expect to miss while attending.

Difference between programs—

Enter the two program quotes to compare them.

Program A

—
Cash cost before aid
—
Aid applied
—
Net cash cost
—
Income given up
—

Program B

—
Cash cost before aid
—
Aid applied
—
Net cash cost
—
Income given up
—

This comparison uses only your entries. It does not predict completion, employment, salary, financial-aid eligibility, or the final amount a provider will bill.

The formula

Every output comes directly from the values you enter. No provider price, wage, job-placement, or completion assumption is supplied by PathGauge.

cash cost before aid = tuition + mandatory fees + supplies + added living costs + other costs

net cash cost = max(0, cash cost before aid − grants and employer aid you will not repay)

total investment = net cash cost + income you expect to give up

difference = abs(program A total − program B total)

Before choosing the lower total

  • Confirm which fees, tools, exams, travel, and required placements are excluded from each written quote.
  • Separate grants and employer aid from loans. A loan changes payment timing but does not erase the underlying cost.
  • Compare refund rules, transferability, schedule fit, accreditation or regulatory recognition, and documented outcomes separately.
  • Ask the responsible regulator or credential issuer whether the program meets an actual eligibility requirement.

Continue the decision

Model one route with break-even assumptionsReview PathGauge data-source rules →