Are there online tools to compare college tuition costs?

Consumerfinance.gov offers an online tool to compare the tuition of up to three colleges at a time. Once you have navigated to the "Compare Schools" web page, type in the name of two or three colleges to compare the costs of attendance.

This tool also allows you to compare financial aid packages. The website breaks down your offer into grants and scholarships, federal loans and private loans. The tool compares other information such as each school's graduate rate and loan default rate. Collegeboard.org offers a similar online tool which allows you to compare tuition costs as well as campus size and admissions selectivity.