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Low and Moderate Budgets for Developing Student Expense Budgets

The base budgets are:

  2025-26 2026-27
Moderate (Prevailing) Budgets
12-Month $36,180 $39,030
9-Month $27,140 $29,270
Low Budgets
12-Month $24,240 $26,150
9-Month $18,180 $19,610

The approximate breakdown of the living expense component is as follows:

  2025-26 2026-27
Total Housing: 54%

Housing/Utilities (70%)

Food (30%)
52%

Housing/Utilities (68%)

Food (32%)
Transportation expenses 11% 11%
Miscellaneous  35% 37%

These budgets are useful tools that will help you:

  • Develop expense budgets for your independent commuting students
  • Prepare debt management materials
  • Exercise professionals judgment