Most Expensive Colleges in US

The rising costs of higher education have become a focal point of discussion and concern across the United States, with many students and their families grappling with the burden of tuition fees and additional expenses associated with attending college. According to CampusGrotto.com, the 2009-2010 school year saw a notable increase in tuition rates, especially for private colleges and universities. Among the most expensive institutions in the country, Sarah Lawrence College topped the list with a total cost of $54,410, followed closely by New York University (NYU) and The George Washington University, which reported costs of $51,991 and $51,730, respectively.

While these figures may seem staggering, they reflect the overall trend of rising college costs, particularly in elite private institutions. The list of the top 100 most expensive colleges serves as a snapshot of this growing financial challenge, with many prestigious schools consistently ranked near the top for tuition costs. These schools are often seen as offering world-class education, but they come with a price that can deter some prospective students from applying or attending, especially those without significant financial aid or family resources.

Among the schools listed, several stand out for their high costs and reputations for academic excellence. For instance, Sarah Lawrence College, known for its strong programs in the arts and humanities, had the highest total cost for the 2009-2010 academic year. While the college offers a personalized educational experience with small class sizes and individualized attention, the price tag for such an education is high. Similarly, NYU, which is located in the heart of New York City, has long been associated with high tuition costs, but its status as a top-tier institution in fields like business, arts, and social sciences contributes to its ranking as the second-most expensive school on the list.

In addition to these institutions, there are a number of other well-known colleges that have consistently ranked among the most expensive. Bates College, located in Maine, was ranked fourth on the list with a total cost of $51,300. Skidmore College in New York came in at fifth place with a cost of $51,196. These schools are well-regarded for their liberal arts programs, but their tuition fees reflect the expenses associated with maintaining high academic standards, top-tier faculty, and beautiful campus facilities.

Johns Hopkins University, a renowned research institution in Baltimore, Maryland, also made the list, coming in sixth place with a total cost of $51,190. Known for its strong emphasis on research, particularly in the fields of medicine, science, and engineering, Johns Hopkins attracts students from around the world. However, the high cost of attendance remains a barrier for many, despite the university’s commitment to providing financial aid to qualified students.

Other notable institutions that made the list include Georgetown University (ranked seventh), Connecticut College (ranked eighth), Harvey Mudd College (ranked ninth), and Vassar College (ranked tenth). These schools are known for their rigorous academic programs and prestigious reputations, but their high tuition fees reflect the financial demands of offering such high-caliber education.

Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C., has a long history of political and international relations education, making it a popular choice for students interested in these fields. Despite its academic prestige, the university's tuition is steep, coming in at $51,122 for the 2009-2010 school year. Similarly, Vassar College, a private liberal arts college in New York, saw its tuition costs climb to $50,875, propelling it into the top 10 most expensive schools for the first time. Known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences, Vassar offers a personalized educational experience but also comes with a financial cost that can be prohibitive for some families.

The financial burden of attending these institutions is often compounded by the high costs of living in areas like New York City, Washington, D.C., and other major metropolitan areas where many of these schools are located. Students attending schools in these regions may face additional living expenses such as rent, transportation, and food, further increasing the overall cost of their education. While financial aid packages, scholarships, and work-study programs can help offset these costs, many students still find themselves graduating with substantial student loan debt.

However, despite the high costs, these institutions continue to attract a significant number of applicants due to their reputation for academic excellence, the prestige of their degrees, and the opportunities they offer for networking and career advancement. Many students and their families view the investment in education at these institutions as worthwhile, given the long-term benefits that can come with earning a degree from a prestigious college or university.

The rising costs of tuition at these schools have sparked an ongoing debate about the affordability of higher education in the United States. As more and more families struggle to pay for college, there is growing concern about the increasing financial burden on students and their families. While financial aid programs and loans have helped many students attend these prestigious institutions, the long-term effects of student debt are becoming more evident. The challenge for colleges and universities moving forward will be finding ways to balance the need for financial sustainability with the need to ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable to all students, regardless of their financial background.

The list of the top 100 most expensive colleges underscores the need for continued dialogue about the affordability of higher education. With tuition rates continuing to rise, it is clear that many families are being priced out of attending some of the country’s most prestigious institutions. As a result, students are increasingly looking for ways to reduce the financial burden of college, whether through scholarships, financial aid, or attending more affordable public institutions.

In conclusion, the list of the top 100 most expensive colleges for the 2009-2010 school year highlights the growing financial pressures faced by students attending private colleges and universities in the United States. While many of these institutions offer world-class education and valuable networking opportunities, the high cost of attendance remains a significant barrier for many students. The challenge moving forward will be finding ways to make higher education more affordable and accessible, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals without being burdened by excessive debt.

The Top 100 Most Expensive Colleges in US:
Institution -- Cost
1. Sarah Lawrence College -- $54,410
2. New York University -- $51,991
3. The George Washington University -- $51,730
4. Bates College -- $51,300
5. Skidmore College -- $51,196
6. Johns Hopkins University -- $51,190
7. Georgetown University -- $51,122
8. Connecticut College -- $51,115
9. Harvey Mudd College -- $51,037
10. Vassar College -- $50,875
11. Wesleyan University -- $50,862
12. Claremont McKenna College -- $50,800
13. Colgate University -- $50,660
14. Carnegie Mellon University -- $50,640
15. Haverford College -- $50,625
16. Bowdoin College -- $50,485
17. Middlebury College -- $50,400
18. Mount Holyoke College -- $50,390
19. Bard College -- $50,380
20. Boston College -- $50,370
21. Franklin & Marshall College -- $50,360
22. Bard College at Simon's Rock -- $50,340
23. Scripps College -- $50,336
24. Babson College -- $50,324
25. Colby College -- $50,320
26. Vanderbilt University -- $50,282
27. Duke University -- $50,250
28. University of Chicago -- $50,247
29. Tufts University -- $50,178
30. Oberlin College -- $50,166
31. Smith College -- $50,132
32. Cornell University -- $50,114
33. Bucknell University -- $50,098
34. University of Southern California -- $50,028
35. Union College (NY) -- $49,983
36. Dartmouth College -- $49,974
36. Carleton College -- $49,974
38. Dickinson College -- $49,860
38. Washington University in St. Louis -- $49,860
40. Bennington College -- $49,830
41. Eugene Lang College -- $49,800
42. Stevens Institute of Technology -- $49,800
43. Northwestern University -- $49,791
44. Boston University -- $49,758
45. Reed College -- $49,690
46. St. Lawrence University -- $49,680
47. Fordham University - Lincoln Center -- $49,655
48. Williams College -- $49,640
49. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering -- $49,630
50. Wellesley College -- $49,612
51. St. John’s College $49,592
52. Hampshire College $49,545
53. Fordham University – Rose Hill $49,541
54. Columbia University $49,524
55. Hamilton College $49,470
56. Trinity College (CT) $49,460
57. Drexel University $49,381
58. Barnard College $49,372
59. Pomona College $49,361
60. Lafayette College $49,319
61. Swarthmore College $49,250
62. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $49,245
63. Chapman University $49,174
64. Hobart and William Smith College $49,168
65. Wheaton College (MA) $49,155
66. Bryn Mawr College $49,120
67. University of Rochester $49,070
68. MIT $48,870
69. University of Notre Dame $48,850
70. Stanford University $48,843
71. College of the Holy Cross $48,800
72. Occidental College $48,750
72. Villanova University $48,750
74. Pepperdine University $48,630
75. Wake Forest University $48,618
76. Lehigh University $48,530
77. University of Richmond $48,490
78. Amherst College $48,400
79. Emory Univ $48,396
80. Brandeis Univ $48,368
81. Brown Univ $48,328
82. Fairfield Univ $48,170
83. Univ of San Diego $48,072
84. Gettysburg College $48,060
85. Worcester Polytechnic Institute $48,050
86. Ursinus College $47,750
87. Drew Univ $47,678
88. Rollins College $47,540
89. Yale Univ $47,500
90. Santa Clara Univ $47,400
91. American Univ $47,386
92. Pitzer College $47,278
93. Loyola Univ Maryland $47,190
94. Washington and Lee Univ $47,165
95. Kenyon College $47,070
96. Princeton Univ $47,020
97. Macalester College $46,942
98. Colorado College $46,902
99. Loyola Marymount Univ $46,880
100. Northeastern Univ $46,860

* Note: Total Cost = Tuition + Room and Board

Source: Campus Grotto