The Most Expensive Public Colleges in Every State Revealed

To determine the most expensive public college in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on average annual net prices from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Universities were ranked on average annual net price including the annual cost of tuition, books, room, and board, minus any financial aid for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduate students who received grant or scholarship aid in the 2021-22 school year. Only public schools that grant bachelor’s degrees and had at least 1,000 undergraduates enrolled in fall 2022 were considered.

If You’re Thinking About College, You Should Know…

The price of a college education is skyrocketing, and even public colleges aren’t immune to these changes. Students and families must make choices about their future, but exorbitant prices become exclusionary very quickly. By breaking down the most expensive public college in each state, and how likely students are to receive scholarships or grants, 24/7 Wall St. hopes to empower students and families to make better and more informed decisions.

Alabama: Auburn University

• Location: Auburn
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $25,271 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,579 (30% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 44%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 25,379; Total: 31,764
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Alaska: University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)

• Location: Anchorage
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $15,609 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,063 (20% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 65%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 9,925; Total: 10,464
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Arizona: Northern Arizona University (NAU)

• Location: Flagstaff
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $17,115 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,397 (40% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 80%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 23,204; Total: 28,086
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Arkansas: Henderson State University

• Location: Arkadelphia
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $17,656 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,321 (45% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 71%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 1,807; Total: 2,519
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

California: University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

• Location: Berkeley
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $19,257 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,238 (21% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 11%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 32,479; Total: 45,307
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Colorado: Colorado School of Mines (Mines)

• Location: Golden
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $29,425 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,866 (40% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 58%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 5,714; Total: 7,403
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Connecticut: University of Connecticut

• Location: Storrs
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $23,985 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,108 (47% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 55%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 18,983; Total: 27,003
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Delaware: University of Delaware (UD)

• Location: Newark
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $18,044 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,580 (57% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 74%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 19,482; Total: 24,039
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

District of Columbia: University of the District of Columbia

• Location: Washington
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $15,021 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $5,462 (19% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 100%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 3,057; Total: 3,577
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Florida: Florida State University (Florida State|F.S.U.)

• Location: Tallahassee
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $14,003 — among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,953 (23% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 25%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 32,936; Total: 44,161
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Georgia: Georgia College & State University (Georgia College)

• Location: Milledgeville
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $20,301 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,446 (37% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 80%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 5,265; Total: 6,315
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Hawaii: University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo / UHH)

• Location: Hilo
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $13,867 — among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,022 (40% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 84%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 2,593; Total: 2,977
• Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

Idaho: Boise State University (Boise State)

• Location: Boise
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $17,724 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,335 (37% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 84%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 22,922; Total: 26,115
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Illinois: Illinois State University

• Location: Normal
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $20,551 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,247 (49% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 18,055; Total: 20,683
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Indiana: Indiana University-Bloomington (IUB | IU Bloomington)

• Location: Bloomington
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $16,234 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,757 (34% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 82%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 35,660; Total: 47,005
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Iowa: University of Iowa (Iowa)

• Location: Iowa City
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $19,587 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,853 (46% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 21,973; Total: 30,015
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Kansas: University of Kansas (Kansas University | KU | Kansas Jayhawks )

• Location: Lawrence
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $18,950 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,880 (43% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 19,241; Total: 26,708
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Kentucky: University of Louisville

• Location: Louisville
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $19,327 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,490 (40% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 82%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 15,921; Total: 22,017
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Louisiana: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Louisiana State University|LSU)

• Location: Baton Rouge
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $21,296 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,404 (32% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 76%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 30,952; Total: 37,348
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Maine: University of Maine

• Location: Orono
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $17,617 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,927 (60% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 94%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 9,774; Total: 12,231
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Maryland: St. Mary’s College of Maryland (St. Mary’s or SMCM)

• Location: St. Mary’s City
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $20,714 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,459 (46% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 77%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 1,497; Total: 1,520
• Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

Massachusetts: Massachusetts College of Art and Design

• Location: Boston
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $23,737 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,039 (64% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 79%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 1,833; Total: 1,939
• Most popular field of study: Education

Michigan: Michigan State University (MSU|Spartans|MI State University)

• Location: East Lansing
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $22,803 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,138 (37% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 39,201; Total: 50,023
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Minnesota: Metropolitan State University

• Location: Saint Paul
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $19,347 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $4,941 (23% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 82%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 5,488; Total: 6,294
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Mississippi: Mississippi State University

• Location: Mississippi State
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $15,364 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,253 (47% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 75%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 18,305; Total: 22,649
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Missouri: University of Missouri-Columbia

• Location: Columbia
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $19,889 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,167 (41% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 79%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 23,745; Total: 31,304
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Montana: Montana State University (MSU)

• Location: Bozeman
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $17,250 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,375 (38% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 73%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 14,625; Total: 16,681
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Nebraska: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Location: Lincoln
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $16,805 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,553 (40% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 79%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 19,189; Total: 23,805
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Nevada: University of Nevada-Reno

• Location: Reno
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $16,670 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,624 (32% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 16,973; Total: 20,945
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

New Hampshire: University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

• Location: Durham
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $24,507 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,862 (58% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 87%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 11,512; Total: 13,953
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

New Jersey: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)

• Location: Ewing
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $22,273 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,030 (50% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 64%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 7,039; Total: 7,629
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

New Mexico: New Mexico Highlands University

• Location: Las Vegas
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $10,852 — among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $4,527 (72% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 100%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 1,625; Total: 2,677
• Most popular field of study: Education

New York: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)

• Location: Syracuse
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $20,928 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,196 (53% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 70%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 1,621; Total: 1,976
• Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

North Carolina: University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW|UNC Wilmington|)

• Location: Wilmington
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $18,709 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,040 (47% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 69%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 14,294; Total: 17,843
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

North Dakota: University of North Dakota

• Location: Grand Forks
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $17,359 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $11,927 (59% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 83%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 9,928; Total: 13,876
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Ohio: Miami University-Oxford (Miami of Ohio)

• Location: Oxford
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $23,031 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,909 (42% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 16,864; Total: 19,107
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus (Oklahoma University|OU)

• Location: Norman
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $22,601 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,429 (35% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 73%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 21,282; Total: 28,308
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Oregon: University of Oregon (UO)

• Location: Eugene
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $22,077 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,821 (36% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 19,565; Total: 23,163
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

• Location: University Park
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $26,747 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $13,414 (47% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 55%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 41,745; Total: 50,028
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Rhode Island: University of Rhode Island (URI)

• Location: Kingston
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $20,695 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $11,356 (63% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 76%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 14,768; Total: 17,473
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

South Carolina: Clemson University

• Location: Clemson
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $24,577 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $11,748 (39% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 43%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 22,566; Total: 28,466
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

South Dakota: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (South Dakota Mines)

• Location: Rapid City
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $21,124 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,854 (55% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 83%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 2,163; Total: 2,492
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Tennessee: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

• Location: Knoxville
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $21,880 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,094 (32% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 68%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 27,039; Total: 33,805
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Texas: Texas A & M University-College Station (Texas A&M University)

• Location: College Station
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $20,375 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,518 (27% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 63%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 57,512; Total: 74,014
• Most popular field of study: Engineering

Utah: Utah State University

• Location: Logan
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $14,577 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,445 (19% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 94%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 24,835; Total: 27,943
• Most popular field of study: Education

Vermont: University of Vermont (UVM)

• Location: Burlington
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $21,849 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,995 (47% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 60%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 11,898; Total: 14,088
• Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

Virginia: William & Mary

• Location: Williamsburg
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $25,688 — among the 101-500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,882 (26% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 33%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 6,797; Total: 9,654
• Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

Washington: Western Washington University (Western Washington State College|Western Washington College of Education)

• Location: Bellingham
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $21,105 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,936 (36% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 93%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 13,801; Total: 14,747
• Most popular field of study: Education

West Virginia: West Liberty University

Main Hall and Paul N Elbin Library at WLU (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Peridotcat

• Location: West Liberty
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $13,788 — among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,971 (57% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 74%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 1,919; Total: 2,315
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)

• Location: Milwaukee
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $16,551 — among the 501-1,000 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,446 (49% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 18,348; Total: 22,676
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

Wyoming: University of Wyoming (UW)

• Location: Laramie
• Avg. annual net price, 2021-22: $12,819 — among the 1,001-1,500 most expensive
• Avg. amount of student loan to full-time first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,184 (34% awarded student loans)
• Percent admitted, 2022: 96%
• Enrollment, Fall 2022: Undergraduate: 8,518; Total: 11,100
• Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services