According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the highest college tuition rates are now upwards of $55,000 per year. Students might be shocked by these sticker prices especially when tuition costs do not include room and board. These are the most expensive colleges in the U.S.
Vassar College, New York
Located in Poughkeepsie, New York, Vassar College set the standard for women's education during the 1860s. Highly selective, the co-educational college provides 2,456 students a liberal arts education in a diverse environment. Ranked #17 by Forbes Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges (2018), Vassar College inspires individuals to lead productive lives with thorough education.
Tuition & Fees: $56,960
Room & Board: $13,550
TFRB Cost: $70,510
Bard College at Simon's Rock, Massachusetts
Bard College at Simon's Rock, "the Early College," is a place for exceptionally motivated students to blaze their own trail. Bard's liberal arts education was given a 92 out of 99 academic rating by Princeton Review. The college's 400 undergraduates study under prestigious professors with advanced research and a global consortium of civic, science, and arts organizations. For extra inspiration, the college is located in the stunning Berkshire Mountains.
Tuition & Fees: $55,732
Room & Board: $14,916
TFRB Cost: $70,648
Northwestern University, Illinois
Committed to exceptional teaching and innovative research, Northwestern brings 21,000 students into a diverse learning environment across three campuses. Along the shores of Lake Michigan located in Evanston, Northwestern's main campus is just the beginning of an intellectual and personal journey. Composed of nine undergraduate programs and ten highly-ranked graduate programs including management, engineering, social policy, and biological sciences, Northwestern is highly ranked in U.S. News and World Report's evaluation of national universities.
Tuition & Fees: $54,567
Room & Board: $16,626
TFRB Cost: $71,193
Southern Methodist University, Texas
Originally founded by the United Methodist Church, Southern Methodist University offers a non-secular education. SMU's proximity to Dallas affords 12,000 students unique opportunities to bring their innovations to life in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The university has earned a distinguished reputation for science research yet it upholds liberal arts traditions.
Tuition & Fees: $54,493
Room & Board: $16,845
TFRB Cost: $71,338
Trinity College, Connecticut
Founding figures of religious and academic freedom began a timeless, educational institution in Hartford. Today, Trinity College provides 2,117 students with a real-world liberal arts experience. Defying standard definitions, Trinity College encourages students to pursue their love of art and science to create individualized, unique major areas of study. Ranked #38 in Best Value Schools by U.S. News and World Report (2019).
Tuition & Fees: $56,910
Room & Board: $14,750
TFRB Cost: $71,660
Scripps College, California
One of the esteemed Claremont Colleges, Scripps Women's College provides a liberal arts education with a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum. Women scholars share a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Of the 2019 graduating class, 35% of graduates pursued a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) major, making Scripps a college with one of the highest proportion of female STEM majors in the country. Students also enjoy a beautiful campus that has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Tuition & Fees: $55,024
Room & Board: $16,932
TFRB Cost: $71,956
Barnard, New York
When founded in 1889, Barnard was the only college in New York City where women could receive a higher level education. Today, 2,635 women attend this world-renowned college where they complete a rigorous and challenging curriculum. Barnard offers students an undergraduate liberal arts degree with more than 50 major areas of study available. Students extend their classroom with access to innovative academic centers. Collaboration with Columbia University and study abroad opportunities in 65 countries diversify students' experiences. Barnard is the only women's college that affords student athletes the ability to participate in NCAA Division I athletics.
Tuition & Fees: $55,032
Room & Board: $17,225
TFRB Cost: $72,257
Columbia University, New York
The fifth oldest educational institution in the United States, Columbia University has an extensive history closely intertwined with New York City. Just over 6,000 undergraduate students attend Columbia and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The college also provides graduate programs and global outposts, distinguished learning environments to promote global advancement of knowledge and technology. Columbia University is ranked #3 on the Best National Universities list (tied with Massachusetts Institute of Technology) by U.S. News and World Report (2019).
Tuition & Fees: $59,985
Room & Board: $14,016
TFRB Cost: $74,001
University of Chicago, Illinois
An extensive list of accolades have been heaped on the University of Chicago, an educational leader. More than 90 alumni are Nobel Prize winners. Rigorous academics and research challenge 15,775 undergraduate and graduate students to excel.
Tuition & Fees: $58,230
Room & Board: $16,350
TFRB Cost: $74,580
Harvey Mudd College, California
Ranked the #1 Best Undergraduate Engineering Program by U.S. News and World Report (tied with Rose-Hulman), Harvey Mudd has an exceptional reputation for producing highly qualified graduates with science degrees. Located in Claremont, the college's 886 students have access to an array of extracurricular activities, club sports, and NCAA Division I athletics programs in addition to a strenuous academic curriculum. Harvey Mudd has achieved high rankings and various accolades for college performance.
Tuition & Fees: $56,876
Room & Board: $18,127
TFRB Cost: $75,003