Training Program Cost Estimator
Estimate the total cost of designing and delivering a training program including development, delivery, materials, and overhead.
Program Development
hrs
$/hr
$
Delivery
sessions
hrs
$/hr
trainers
Participants
people
$/hr
$
Venue & Overhead
$
$
%
Formulas Used
Development Cost = (Design Hours × Designer Rate) + Technology Cost
Delivery Cost = Sessions × Hours/Session × Trainers × Trainer Rate
Participant Opportunity Cost = Participants × Sessions × Hours/Session × Participant Wage
Materials Cost = Participants × Materials Cost/Participant
Venue Cost = Sessions × Venue Cost/Session
Subtotal = Development + Delivery + Opportunity + Materials + Venue + Travel
Overhead = Subtotal × (Overhead % ÷ 100)
Grand Total = Subtotal + Overhead
Cost per Participant = Grand Total ÷ Participants
Cost per Training Hour per Participant = Grand Total ÷ (Participants × Sessions × Hours/Session)
Assumptions & References
- Participant opportunity cost represents the productive value of time employees spend in training rather than working, based on their hourly wage.
- The industry rule of thumb for instructor-led training development is 40–60 design hours per 1 hour of instruction (ATD, 2022).
- Administrative overhead (typically 10–20%) covers coordination, HR administration, LMS licensing, and reporting.
- Travel and accommodation costs should reflect actual quotes or historical averages for your organization.
- This estimator does not include post-training evaluation costs or long-term ROI calculations.
- Reference: Association for Talent Development (ATD) State of the Industry Report; Phillips, J.J. & Phillips, P.P. (2016). Handbook of Training Evaluation and Measurement Methods.