EUCHL 
European Union College Hockey League
"Where North American Talent Meets European Opportunity."
A Direct Comparison Of Attending NCAA D3, ACHA Or European University
Often times parents and players do not know the actual costs to attend any four year university and graduate. Its It is easy to look up a university’s listed tuition, but far more difficult to understand the true annual cost of attending college while playing hockey.
This article outlines the real expenses associated with university attendance, including tuition, housing, and the additional costs student-athletes face while competing in college hockey.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the average cost to attend a European Union College Hockey League (EUCHL) program—including tuition, dormitory housing (without a meal plan), and all hockey-related expenses—is estimated to range between $16,000 and $20,000 per year.
MIAC Tuition and Fees (2025–2026)
Below are the estimated annual tuition and required school fees for select MIAC member institutions:
- College of St. Scholastica: Approximately $44,040 for full-time tuition
- Augsburg University: Approximately $46,840 per year
- Gustavus Adolphus College: Approximately $52,490 in tuition and fees (total cost of attendance approximately $66,120)
- Hamline University: Approximately $52,319, including $50,613 in tuition and $1,706 in required fees
- Saint John’s University (MN): Approximately $50,950 in tuition
MIAC Room and Board Costs (2025–2026)
Estimated annual housing and meal costs for these institutions are as follows:
- Augsburg University: Approximately $12,755
- College of St. Scholastica: Approximately $12,968
- Gustavus Adolphus College: Approximately $12,464
- Hamline University: Approximately $11,213
- Saint John’s University: Between $12,740 and $13,440, depending on housing type
Other NCAA Conference Averages
- WIAC (out-of-state):
- Tuition: approximately $14,000
- Dormitory housing: approximately $10,000
- SUNY Conference (out-of-state):
- Tuition: approximately $18,000
- Dormitory housing: approximately $10,000
ACHA Program Costs
When comparing larger U.S. universities competing at the ACHA Division I level, overall costs increase significantly. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the average annual cost was:
Dormitory housing: approximately $11,000
Tuition: approximately $37,500
| Program Type | Tuition | Housing / Dormitory | Hockey-Related Expenses | Estimated Total Annual Cost |
|---|
| EUCHL (Europe) | Included | Included (no meal plan) | Included | $16,000 – $20,000 |
| MIAC (Private NCAA DIII) | $44,000 – $52,500 | $11,200 – $13,500 | Included | $56,000 – $66,000+ |
| WIAC (NCAA DIII – Out of State) | ~$14,000 | ~$10,000 | Included | ~$24,000+ |
| SUNY (NCAA DIII – Out of State) | ~$18,000 | ~$10,000 | Included | ~$28,000+ |
| ACHA (Large Universities) | ~$37,500 | ~$11,000 | Additional | ~$48,500+ |
Important Notes
- EUCHL costs include tuition, dormitory housing, and all hockey-related expenses, offering a predictable annual total.
- Private NCAA institutions often exceed listed totals once mandatory fees, meal plans, and incidental costs are added.
- Actual costs vary by institution and housing selection, but these figures reflect typical averages for the stated academic years.
More than ever before, its time for families to make smart financial decisions moving forward. These decisions on where to play college hockey can impact families for decades beyond any student athletes playing career.
If the degree you are contemplating is valued the same across the board upon graduation, regardless of the name or location of the university, are you going to make the smart financial decision? This is and should be the first and primary point of thought when chosing where to attend college.
In the end, college will give great memories, and an education that will carry young men and women through their professional careers after graduation. It is long past time to start making decisions based upon common sense financial realities, and not on emotion.