This study explores the possibility of collecting data and information about building characteristics and operational characteristics of buildings at the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek as well as the possibility of collecting data concerning maintenance and operation costs of those buildings. Data were collected using a questionnaire sent to all constituents of the University, general data about the usage and characteristics of building and data concerning costs of maintenance and operation in buildings were requested according to pre-defined cost data structure. The result of collecting and processing these data and information was creation of database about maintenance and operation costs of University buildings based on historical buildings data records with same or similar functional building purposes. Due to analysis of formed database in this work it was possible to develop models for calculating maintenance and operations costs and operations cost for buildings of the University, as well as determining impact of certain buildings characteristics, model variables, on maintenance and operational costs. The research found that it is possible to create mathematical models for predicting maintenance and operations costs of public buildings for scientific and educational purposes of University by using specific statistical methods. It was found that it is possible to use multiple regression analysis to develop models for predicting maintenance and operations costs and to use Stepwise method to determine statistically significant variables of the cost models. By defining the model for calculating maintenance and operational cost, cost model variables were also defined and therefore ways of usage and characteristics of building which affect the maintenance and operational costs, and respectively the information necessary for the design new buildings of similar purpose considering the rationalization of maintenance and operational costs. Advantages and limitations of model for calculating maintenance and operational cost and model for calculating operational costs of University buildings are defined. The main advantage of applying either of models is the ease of application and small numbers of item required for calculating cost and also facts that required data are easy to obtain and that they present in every building of similar purpose. Primary limitations of both models are applicability only to buildings at the University of Osijek. By applying models obtained in this research it is possible to plan and calculate the maintenance and operational costs of University buildings for certain time periods. Despite a relatively long period since the appearance of life cycle cost method the method is still not part part of modern design methods. Possible reasons for this might be in the lack of reliable data and lack of motivation to apply method due to the complexity of existing methods. The results of this research could help to overcome these obstacles.