Best Calculators for High School and College
The best calculator for high school and college is a graphing calculator without CAS, such as the TI-84 Plus CE. It works from Algebra 2 through college calculus and statistics, and it’s allowed on the SAT, ACT and AP exams. Add a cheap scientific calculator later if a college course bans graphing models.
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Quick picks: one calculator for the long run
| Plan | Our pick | Why it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Most students | TI-84 Plus CE | Used in high school, accepted on the SAT, ACT and AP exams, and common in college courses |
| Want more power | TI-Nspire CX II | Faster, with documents and menus, and still allowed on the SAT and ACT |
| Want color for less | Casio fx-CG50 | Color screen and 3D graphing for less than a TI |
| Lowest-cost graphing | Casio fx-9750GIII | Covers high school and intro college math on a budget |
Why one calculator can cover both
High school Algebra 2, Precalculus, AP Calculus and AP Statistics all use a graphing calculator. Many college calculus and statistics courses use the same models. Buying one good graphing calculator in high school can save you from buying a second one later.
The catch: some college exams ban graphing calculators, and some engineering exams allow only scientific models. A low-cost scientific calculator solves that.
Graphing calculators that last
TI-84 Plus CE
The safest pick. It has a color screen, a rechargeable battery and the widest teacher support. Many college courses that use calculators teach with it.
Best for: students who want one calculator from Algebra 2 through college
TI-Nspire CX II
The TI-Nspire CX II is quicker than the TI-84 and better for long problems and projects. This is the non-CAS model, so it’s allowed on the SAT and ACT.
Best for: STEM-minded students who want room to grow
Casio fx-CG50
Casio’s color graphing calculator adds 3D graphs and costs less than the TI picks. Class demos on a TI-84 won’t match its keys, so expect a short learning curve.
Best for: students on a budget who still want color
Casio fx-9750GIII
A black-and-white graphing calculator that does the core jobs well: graphs, tables, statistics and regressions.
Best for: the lowest-cost path through high school and intro college math
Casio fx-9860GIII
A step up from the fx-9750GIII, with more memory and extra features in a similar black-and-white design.
Best for: Casio fans who want a little more than the fx-9750GIII
When you need a second calculator
TI-30XS MultiView
Cheap insurance for college exams that ban graphing calculators. It handles fractions, exponents and trig.
Best for: no-graphing exams in college algebra, chemistry and physics
Casio fx-991CW ClassWiz
A more powerful scientific calculator with an equation solver and matrices.
Best for: engineering and science courses that allow only scientific models
Sharp EL-W516TBSL
A WriteView scientific calculator that shows problems as they look on paper.
Best for: a simple, clear backup for science courses
HP Prime G2
A CAS calculator for college students whose courses allow it. Don’t buy it as your only calculator in high school: CAS models are banned on the SAT and ACT.
Best for: college math and engineering majors who want CAS
Test rules at a glance
| Calculator | SAT | ACT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TI-84 Plus CE | Allowed | Allowed | Accepted on AP exams too |
| TI-Nspire CX II (non-CAS) | Allowed | Allowed | The CAS version is banned on both |
| Casio fx-CG50, Casio fx-9750GIII | Allowed | Allowed | Graphing, no CAS |
| HP Prime G2 | Not allowed | Not allowed | Has CAS |
Rules change, so check the full rules on Calculator Resources before test day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same calculator in high school and college?
Usually, yes. A non-CAS graphing calculator like the TI-84 Plus CE works in most high school and many college courses.
Is the TI-84 Plus CE worth it?
For most students, yes. It lasts for years, it’s allowed on the major tests, and almost every teacher knows how to use it.
Should I buy a CAS calculator for college?
Only if your courses allow it. CAS models are banned on the SAT and ACT and on many college exams.
More calculator guides
- Best Calculators for Elementary Students
- Best Calculators for Middle School Students
- Best Calculators for High School Students
- Best Calculators for College Students
- Best Graphing Calculators for School
Not sure which type you need? Start with Calculator Resources, which shows the calculator for each class and the SAT, ACT and AP rules.