U.S.: College Tuition Costs, by institution
CollegeTotal cost,
in USD
University of Southern Pennsylvania77,459
Harvey Mudd College77,339
University of Pennsylvania76,826
Amherst College76,800
Tufts University76,492
Dartmouth College76,480
Brown University76,476
Northwestern University76,317
University of Chicago76,302
Wellesley College76,220
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: academic year 2021-2022
  • Published: Aug 2022

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Most Expensive College

University of Southern Pennsylvania holds the title for the most expensive college with a total cost of 77,459 U.S. dollars.

Close Competition for the Highest Costs

Harvey Mudd College closely follows with a total cost of 77,339 U.S. dollars, only 120 dollars less than the University of Southern Pennsylvania.

Narrow Cost Range Among Top Colleges

The cost difference between the most expensive college, University of Southern Pennsylvania, and the tenth most expensive, Wellesley College, is 1,239 U.S. dollars, highlighting a narrow cost range among these elite institutions.

Total Cost Above 76,000 Dollars for All Listed Colleges

Every college listed has a total cost exceeding 76,000 U.S. dollars, underscoring the high price of elite education.

Presence of Ivy League Institutions

Ivy League institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, and Brown University feature prominently, with costs of 76,826, 76,480, and 76,476 U.S. dollars respectively, indicating the premium attached to these prestigious universities.

Liberal Arts Colleges Among the Most Expensive

Liberal arts colleges like Amherst College and Wellesley College are among the most expensive, with costs of 76,800 and 76,220 U.S. dollars, respectively, showcasing the significant investment required for specialized, intimate educational settings.

Geographic Diversity

The list includes colleges from various regions across the U.S., including the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast, reflecting the widespread geographic distribution of high-cost education institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most expensive college?

The University of Southern Pennsylvania is the most expensive college, with a total cost of 77,459 U.S. dollars.

What is the cost difference between the most expensive college and the tenth most expensive one?

The cost difference between the University of Southern Pennsylvania and the Wellesley College, which is tenth, is 1,239 U.S. dollars.

Terms and Definitions

An institution of higher learning, usually part of a university, offering a four-year program leading to a bachelor's degree in various fields. In the US, the term 'college' is often used interchangeably with 'university'.

Tuition refers to the price colleges charge for classroom instruction. It may be assessed as a single comprehensive fee covering all classes and services provided by the institution or as a per-credit or per-course charge.

Fees are additional costs not included in the tuition. These might include charges for student services, health benefits, athletic activities, technology services, facility upkeep, and more.

A standard cost of college, this includes the cost for a student's on-campus housing and meal plans. It can also encompass basic living expenses, including laundry, local transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

The net price of a college is what students pay after subtracting gift aid (scholarships, grants) from the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies and other fees. This is often the most accurate way to gauge the cost of a particular college.

Financial aid is any form of funding that helps students pay for college, such as a Pell Grant or merit-based scholarship, work-study employment, or student loans. Some of this aid is provided by the federal and state government, and some by the institution of higher education itself.

This is a type of financial aid that colleges give to students based on their academic, athletic, or other abilities, rather than their financial need. Merit-based aid is awarded as scholarships, grants, or tuition waivers.

Need-based aid is a type of financial aid that colleges give to students based on their financial need. The most common forms are grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid, work-study jobs, and low-interest student loans.

An endowment refers to money or other financial assets that are donated to colleges or universities and are meant to be invested to grow the principal and provide additional income for future investing and expenditures. The larger a school's endowment, the more it can spend on student scholarships, faculty salaries, facilities, and academic programs.
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