This May, Governor Jared Polis in Colorado signed a law to give certain students free tuition and fees for their first 65 college credits. The law is set to take effect in 2025, and surely comes as a relief to some Colorado citizens who want to earn a higher education, but can’t afford the high costs. This policy is meant to enable those in lower-income households to have the chance to further their education.
Colleges, like trade schools, offer people the opportunity to make more income and live comfortably later in life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people make about $30,000 more a year with a college education than just a high school one. Unfortunately, the balance is that universities cost quite a bit upfront. Even with grants and scholarships, the average cost per year for a student to attend was around $13,160 in 2022.
Unfortunately, the price is only going up. From the 2022-2023 school year to the 2023-2024 one, there was about a four percent raise in the average price of a private college, and about two percent at a public one, according to U.S. News. Private schools cost significantly more than public ones, $42,162 compared to $10,662 on average, but they often don’t have as many unique majors or classes, and they also don’t look as good on a resume.
Part of choosing a school is based on what a student wants to learn and the states the student is willing to live in, but the cost is also a large determining factor, especially for those who struggle to get loans and scholarships. In fact, according to a Sallie Mae survey in 2023, How America Pays for College, about 78 percent of families eliminate at least one school from their list based solely on cost.
To ascertain the most expensive college in every state, 24/7 Wall St. looked at schools and their average prices after financial aid. Not only was tuition covered, but books, room and board, and any extra fees. The focus was on the cost of first-time undergraduate students looking for a bachelor’s degree. Only non-profit private and public schools with at least 1,000 undergrads seeking four-year degrees were considered. The information collected came from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. (Also see: The 50 Hardest Colleges and Universities to Get Into, Ranked.)
Why We Are Discussing Education
Education is important. By going to college, you have a chance to get a better job, and therefore make more money in the future. Trade schools are an option as well, but for those wanting to do something a little less hands-on, college is a must if they want the chance to make a better future for themselves and move away from the paycheck-to-paycheck life.
51. New Mexico: New Mexico Highlands University
- City: Las Vegas
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $10,852
- National cost ranking: Among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $4,527
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 72%
- Type of school: Public
- Most popular major: Education
50. Wyoming: University of Wyoming
- City: Laramie
- Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $12,819
- National cost ranking: Among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $8,184
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 34%
- Type of school: Public
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
49. Utah: Utah State University
- City: Logan
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $14,577
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,445
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 19%
- Type of school: Public
- Most popular major: Education
48. Alaska: University of Alaska Anchorage
- City: Anchorage
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $15,609
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,063
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 20%
- Type of school: Public
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
47. Nevada: University of Nevada-Reno
- City: Reno
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $16,670
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,624
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 32%
- Type of school: Public
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
46. Delaware: University of Delaware
- City: Newark
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $18,044
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,580
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 57%
- Type of school: Public
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
45. North Dakota: University of Mary
- City: Bismarck
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $18,369
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $8,666
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 57%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
44. Mississippi: Mississippi College
- City: Clinton
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $20,874
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $5,946
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 39%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
43. West Virginia: University of Charleston
- City: Charleston
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $21,308
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,724
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 53%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
42. Arkansas: Hendrix College
- City: Conway
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $22,626
- National cost ranking: Among the 501-1,000 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,998
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 47%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
41. Kentucky: Centre College
- City: Danville
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $23,584
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,650
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 51%
- Type of school: Private not-for-private
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
40. South Dakota: Augustana University
- City: Sioux Falls
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $23,843
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,805
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 55%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
39. Montana: Carroll College
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- City: Helena
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $23,916
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,146
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 46%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
38. Idaho: Northwest Nazarene University
- City: Nampa
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $25,674
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,582
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 66%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
37. Oklahoma: University of Tulsa
- City: Tulsa
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $28,087
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,505
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 47%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
36. Missouri: Saint Louis University
- City: Saint Louis
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $29,651
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,390
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 55%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
35. Kansas: Benedictine College
- City: Atchison
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $30,067
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,186
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 50%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
34. Hawaii: Hawaii Pacific University
- City: Honolulu
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $30,501
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,069
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 58%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
33. Virginia: Hampton University
- City: Hampton
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $32,421
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $12,966
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 75%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
32. Nebraska: Creighton University
- City: Omaha
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $32,877
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $8,720
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 52%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
31. Wisconsin: Marquette University
- City: Milwaukee
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $33,136
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $9,058
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 44%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
30. South Carolina: Furman University
- City: Greenville
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $33,370
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,962
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 32%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
29. Iowa: Grinnell College
- City: Grinnell
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $33,467
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,707
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 15%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
28. Michigan: College for Creative Studies
- City: Detroit
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $34,906
- National cost ranking: Among the 101-500 most expensive
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,801
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 56%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Education
27. New Hampshire: Saint Anselm College
- City: Manchester
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $35,080
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,815
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 68%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
26. Vermont: Champlain College
- City: Burlington
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $35,133
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $8,296
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 65%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
25. Alabama: Tuskegee University
- City: Tuskegee
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $35,596
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $5,826
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 58%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Engineering
24. Oregon: Lewis & Clark College
- City: Portland
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $35,832
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,265
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 80%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
23. Minnesota: Macalester College
- City: Saint Paul
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $36,095
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $6,714
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 47%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
22. Tennessee: Belmont University
- City: Nashville
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $36,225
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $8,365
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 38%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
21. Maine: University of New England
- City: Biddeford
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $38,809
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,080
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 94%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
20. Arizona: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
- City: Prescott
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $38,909
- National cost ranking: among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $15,653
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 51%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Engineering
19. Washington: University of Puget Sound
- City: Tacoma
- Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $41,363
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,519
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 50%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
18. North Carolina: Elon University
- City: Elon
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $41,527
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $9,977
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 28%
- Type of school: Private not for profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
17. Indiana: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- City: Terre Haute
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $41,678
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $12,038
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 47%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Engineering
16. New Jersey: Stevens Institute of Technology
- City: Hoboken
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $41,689
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,599
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 57%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Engineering
15. Colorado: University of Denver
- City: Denver
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $42,423
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,961
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 37%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
14. Pennsylvania: The University of the Arts
- City: Philadelphia
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $42,467
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $12,846
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 93%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Visual and Performing Arts
13. District of Columbia: George Washington University
- City: Washington
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $42,723
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,893
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 38%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
12. Maryland: Maryland Institute College of Art
- City: Baltimore
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $43,545
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $9,965
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 56%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Visual and Performing Arts
11. Rhode Island: Providence College
- City: Providence
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $43,970
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $9,247
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 59%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
10. Georgia: Savannah College of Art and Design
- City: Savannah
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $45,976
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $13,317
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 43%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Engineering
9. Texas: Baylor University
- City: Waco
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $45,988
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $14,404
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 37%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
8. Connecticut: Fairfield University
- City: Fairfield
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $46,065
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $9,262
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 56%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
7. Ohio: Oberlin College
- City: Oberlin
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $46,462
- National cost ranking: Among the 11-100 most expensive schools
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $5,013
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 37%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences
6. Louisiana: Tulane University of Louisiana
- City: New Orleans
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $50,263
- National cost ranking: Among the 10 most expensive schools nationwide
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $8,283
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 29%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
5. Massachusetts: Emerson College
- City: Boston
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $51,432
- National cost ranking: Among the 10 most expensive schools nationwide
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $12,551
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 53%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
4. California: Art Center College of Design
- City: Pasadena
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $53,617
- National cost ranking: Among the 10 most expensive schools nationwide
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $7,458
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 29%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Visual and Performing Arts
3. Illinois: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- City: Chicago
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $53,923
- National cost ranking: Among the 10 most expensive schools nationwide
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,796
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 41%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Education
2. New York: The New School
- City: New York
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $55,480
- National cost ranking: Among the 10 most expensive schools nationwide
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,379
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 32%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Business Management and Administrative Services
1. Florida: Ringling College of Art and Design
- City: Sarasota
- Average cost for 2021-2022 school year: $55,752
- National cost ranking: Among the 10 most expensive schools nationwide
- Average loan amount for full-time undergrads in 2021-2022 school year: $10,619
- Percentage of students awarded student loans: 55%
- Type of school: Private not-for-profit
- Most popular major: Visual and Performing Arts
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