With the constant rise in tuition, it’s difficult to know which university is the most expensive to attend. The most expensive universities in USA are becoming increasingly inaccessible for a great number of today’s students.
Compared to previous generations, today’s students are seeing much higher charges for education.
The cost of going to college differs from one institution to the next. Each institution determines its tuition and fees. Some institutions charge one tuition for in-state students and a different one for out-of-state and online students.
Sometimes, while spending a lot of money on a degree doesn’t always ensure that you’ll receive a top-notch education, it does assist especially if you want to establish valuable networks and launch your career at a prestigious university.
A good education has emerged as a crucial instrument for success in the modern world. It is crucial to earning a degree from a respected institution and a high-quality education as a result.
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Benefits of Attending a Prestigious University
Most times we often think attending an expensive is a waste of resources because at the endpoint the purpose of it all is acquiring knowledge in our desired professions. That’s true to some extent, there are other benefits of attending such colleges.
Some of these benefits are listed below
- High academic standards: In top universities, you will receive an education that is higher in quality compared to others. The research quality in these institutions is also better than most, meaning you will not only receive knowledge from the best but also have an opportunity to collaborate and work with the best to contribute to your field.
- Influential network: One benefit of attending an expensive well-known university is that it helps you to grow your network. You’re more likely to meet people who can help you in building your future career.
- Employment Opportunity: It paves the way for good employment opportunities. Top universities get to funnel their students into working with top companies. You are more likely to get an internship with well-known companies and possibly gain a job offer.
Most Expensive Universities in USA
The adage “a good thing costs a fortune” is accurate, and this has been demonstrated more times than ever, particularly when it comes to education. These institutions are special in their own right and offer their students a foundational education.
Listed below are the top 20 most expensive universities:
- Harvey Mudd College
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Amherst College
- University of Southern California
- Tufts University
- Dartmouth College
- Brown University
- Northwestern University
- University of Chicago
- Wellesley College
- Georgetown University
- Haverford College
- Vassar College
- Bard College
- Reed College
- Oberlin College
- Wesleyan University
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Scripps College.
20 Most Expensive Universities in USA
#1. Harvey Mudd College
- Annual tuition: $77,339
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission.
One of the top expensive universities is Harvey Mudd College, founded in 1955. It is an American private college in Claremont, California best known for its Science and Engineering programs.
The college is ranked 29 among the National Liberal Arts college and offers degrees in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Biology, and Engineering.
Admission into the college is highly competitive with an acceptance rate of 14% which also makes it highly selective. They offer financial aid to students; grants, loans, and scholarships.
#2. Columbia University
- Annual tuition: $79,752
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
As an Ivy League research university in New York, it was founded in 1754 and is the oldest institution of higher education in New York. Columbia University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and is also a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
With an acceptance rate of 6%, it is crucial to meet all admission requirements to be admitted into the college.
#3. University of Pennsylvania
- Annual tuition: $76,826
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Pennsylvania is also a private Ivy League school and one of the best business colleges in America.
It was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. The school comprises 12 graduate and professional schools, and 4 undergraduate colleges. And has an 8% acceptance rate.
#4. Amherst College
- Annual tuition: 80,250
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
The Amherst College is a private institution of Liberal Arts with over 1,971 enrolled undergraduate students. Originally established in 1821 as Men’s College. They offer 41 degrees in science, Arts, Foreign language, and several other fields.
Amherst is known for its rigorous academic environment. Gaining admission into the college is competitive and may seem impossible due to its acceptance rate of 12%.
#5. University of Southern California
- Annual tuition: $77,459
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles. They have over $8.12 billion in endowment and are also a member of the Association of American Universities.
The college is known as one of the top colleges for film and photography, and also for its Science degrees. They offer 95 undergraduate majors and 147 academic and professional minors. The college was established in 1880 by Robert M. Widney.
#6. Tufts University
- Annual tuition: $76,492
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
Tufts college is known for its internationalism, diverse programs, and promoting citizenship and public service across all disciplines.
They offer over 90 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs and provide degrees in social science, Science, and visual and performing arts.
Tufts University was founded in 1852 as Tufts college by Christian Universalists. They are an independent, private nonsectarian institution of higher education. As one of the most expensive universities, its acceptance is 11% which makes it a highly competitive school.
#7. Dartmouth College
- Annual tuition: $76,480
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
One other Ivy League college is Dartmouth College. With an 8% acceptance rate, the college is highly selective. It was established in 1769 and is one of the nine colonial colleges in the United States.
Dartmouth provides 39 academic departments and 56 major programs. Being a Liberal arts institution, they offer a four-year bachelor of arts and engineering degrees to undergraduate students.
#8. Brown University
- Annual tuition: $62,680
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
Brown University is the seventh oldest institution of higher education in the United States. And also a private Ivy League university and one of the nine colonial colleges in the United States. They are the most prestigious university in the world. They offer the oldest applied mathematics program in the United States.
#9. Northwestern University
- Annual tuition: $77, 979
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Education.
Northwestern University is a private research university with over $16.1 billion endowment. It is ranked one of the most sophisticated and prestigious schools in the world.
With an acceptance rate of 9%, they have 3,239 enrolled undergraduate students. The school is one of the top institutions in the field of material engineering and communication.
#10. University of Chicago
- Annual tuition: $78,302
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
The University is also a private research institution in Chicago, Illinois. Ranked amongst the best colleges in the world and also among the most selective in the United States, with an acceptance rate of 7%.
#11. Wellesley College
- Annual tuition: $76,220
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
Wellesley college is considered one of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States. It was founded in 1870 by Henry and Pauline Durant as a female seminary. Wellesley is currently ranked 5th in the National Liberal Arts College.
#12. Georgetown University
- Annual tuition: $59,992
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Georgetown University was founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll as Georgetown College. The University is comprised of 11 undergraduate and graduate schools.
The university offers degree programs in 48 disciplines, enrolling an average of 7,500 undergraduates from over 135 countries.
#13. Haverford College
- Annual tuition: $62,850
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
This is a private liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania. It was founded as a men’s college in 1833 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and became coeducational in 1980.
It offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 31 majors across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences disciplines. They adopted an honor code that helps in governing the affairs of the school.
#14. Vassar College
- Annual tuition: $63, 840
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Founded in 1861, Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational liberal arts college. It is ranked among the top liberal arts college in the United States. Vassar college is very selective with an acceptance rate of 25%.
It is also known as the second-degree granting institution of higher education for women in the United States.
#15. Bard College
- Annual tuition: $75,921
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Bard college was established in 1860, it offers degrees in Bachelor of Arts and Science. With 23 academic departments and offers over 40 major programs, as well as 12 interdisciplinary professions. The college was the first in the nation to offer a human rights major.
#16. Reed College
- Annual tuition: $75,950
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Reed college is one of the most intellectual colleges in the country. As a liberal arts college, it offers 40 bachelor’s degrees and interdisciplinary majors. They have an ethical known as “Honors Principles” which students abide by. Financial aid is provided completely based on needs.
#17. Oberlin College
- Annual tuition: $69,000
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
Oberlin college is one of the oldest private coeducational Liberal Arts colleges in the country and also an institute of higher learning in the world.
It offers programs in Liberal Arts and Music, which makes it one of the oldest professional music schools in the United States. Oberlin is a selective college with an acceptance rate of 35%.
#18. Wesleyan University
- Annual tuition: $62, 049
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
Private liberal arts women’s college Wesleyan College is located in Macon, Georgia. Wesleyan was the first university in the world to be established in 1836 and to give degrees to women.
There are eight pre-professional programs, 35 minors, and 25 majors available at Wesleyan. Bachelor’s degrees in nursing, the arts, or the humanities are all available to students. The United Methodist Church is associated with Wesleyan.
#19. Franklin and Marshall College
- Annual tuition: $63,406
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Franklin & Marshall College admissions are more selective with an acceptance rate of 38%. It is a private Liberal Arts college and in 1853, it was created through the merging of Marshall College and Franklin College.
The college has approximately 2,400 full-time students. It offers various majors and minors across 62 fields of study and has an acceptance rate of 38%.
#20. Scripps College
- Annual tuition: $58,442
- Accreditation: WASC Senior college and university commission.
Scripps College is a women’s liberal arts college in Claremont, CA, known for its rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum. The school’s most popular majors are biology, psychology, and the social sciences.
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FAQs on the Most Expensive Universities in USA
Which is the most expensive university in the world?
Harvey Mudd college is considered the world's most expensive university and also one of the most costly universities in the United States.
Are expensive university worth it?
Yes, to some extent it does. you don’t need to attend the most expensive university to become successful in life, but some universities do possess the tools you need to amplify that success.
Which countries have the most expensive colleges?
The countries with the most expensive college are Australia, Singapore, United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Canada, France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey, and Taiwan.
Why are the most expensive colleges in the US expensive?
There are factors responsible for the high rate of tuition in colleges and these includes; high demand, nongovernmental funding, and high scholarship rates.
Conclusions
Education is an important tool for a great career path in the world. Irrespective of the high tuition and other factors, your chances of growing a vast and influential network and having great employment opportunities fall back on having the best educational background. This however may come at a high cost.
Despite being expensive, these schools provide the best academic curriculums and degrees. If you look to growing vast networks and influential opportunities, I’ll advise you to go for the best regardless of the high tuition. However, there are great cheap schools in the US you can attend without breaking the bank.
