Ali-Akbar Haghdoost - PhD in Epidemiology , Professor of Epidemiology, Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Marjan Amirimoghadam - Senior Researcher, Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Mahshid Loloei - MSc in Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Mohammad-Reza Baneshi - PhD in Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Regional Education of Health Care Systems (HIV/AIDS), Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Faezeh Sabbah - BSc in Health Care Management, Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mohammad-Hossein Mehrolhassani - PhD in Health Care Management, Department of Management Policy and Health Economics, Health Service Management Research Centre, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Quantifying real costs in total and per student is one of the key objectives of budgeting in longterm plans for higher education sector without any doubt this will improve the performance of universities However the evidences and experiences in this regard are very limited within Iran The purpose of this study was to estimate and analyze all costs of a school (as a model) compatible with activitybased costing in the logics of operating budgeting   Methods: Having reviewed all available relevant documents of School of Public Health Kerman University of Medical Sciences in one academic year (۲۰۱۰۱۱) real costs were extracted and categorized In the same time all available facilities (classes laboratories library computer rooms and common rooms) human resources students and infrastructures of the school were surveyed The cost data were grouped into five sections: training costs research costs administrative costs current supportive costs and maintenance/development costs   Results: The total cost of School of Public Health was ۲۴۷۲۶ million Iranian Rial (IRR) consisted of ۱۸۸۵۰ IRR for teaching costs ۱۸۹۴ IRR for research costs ۲۵۱۹ IRR for administrative costs and ۱۴۶۳ IRR for maintenance and current costs The total per student cost was ۳۱۱۱ IRR The total per postgraduate student cost was ۲۵ times more than of undergraduate students   Conclusion: A main part of the costs particularly salaries is out of hand of direct managers of the school These costs are usually hidden and are not presented in costs at the school level It seems that fixed salary of academic staff inflated human costs while it is suggested that with a better educational management the system could increase their responsibilities and improve their productivities Our computation as a model may help medical universities around the country to create a clear picture of their costs in line with the rules of operating budgeting

Cost per student, educational costs, operating budget, economics of education, educational planning