Let’s face it, college is expensive. Making the decision to attend college can be one that comes with countless benefits – education, lifelong friends and connections, job opportunities – but it has also become an increasingly expensive undertaking. While there are many cheaper higher education institutions nationwide, there is also no shortage of very expensive colleges across America.
To determine the most expensive college in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on average annual net price from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Colleges and universities were ranked based on average annual net price — 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 2020-21 school year. Only public and private nonprofit schools that predominantly grant bachelor’s degrees and had at least 800 undergraduates enrolled in fall 2021 were considered.
The price of attending college has increased over the years, and by quite a bit. In fact, the rising costs of tuition have outpaced the rate of inflation by 171.5%. Private institutions tend to be far more expensive than public schools, and according to the Education Data Initiative, the price of attending a private four-year college has increased, on average, 6.2% annually.
The reasons behind this price increase are manifold, and include the high number of non-instructional jobs (referred to as “administrative bloat”), the overbuilding of on-campus amenities, high-wage labor, and an increase in subsidized student loans.
Even though these colleges are the most expensive in their respective states, the individual price tags vary dramatically. The average annual net price of the public University of Wyoming in Laramie is $10,452, making it the least expensive school on this list. At the other end of the spectrum is Valencia, California’s California Institute of the Arts, a small private visual and performing arts school with a tuition of $53,916. (These are the states where the most people have gone to college.)
Schools with a strong focus on business, management, marketing, and related support services tend to be the most expensive in their state, as do ones that have strong engineering programs and in-demand visual and performing arts programs. (See the hardest colleges to get into).
In states including Alaska, New Mexico, and Wyoming, even the most expensive college costs less than $15,000 to attend annually, making it affordable by modern standards. In many other states, however, the most expensive college has a price tag that is more than twice that.
Click here to see the most expensive colleges in every state.
Alabama: Tuskegee University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $36,907
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 34.2%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 9:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,184
> Most popular field of study: Engineering
> Location: Tuskegee, AL
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Alaska: University of Alaska Anchorage
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $12,816
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 69.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 10,259
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Anchorage, AK
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Arizona: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $37,501
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 73.8%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 17:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 3,033
> Most popular field of study: Engineering
> Location: Prescott, AZ
Arkansas: Harding University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $20,533
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 54.1%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 16:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 3,684
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Searcy, AR
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California: California Institute of the Arts
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $53,916
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 29.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 7:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 965
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Valencia, CA
Colorado: University of Denver
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $39,973
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 63.6%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 5,867
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Denver, CO
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Connecticut: Connecticut College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $44,820
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 41.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 9:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,829
> Most popular field of study: Social sciences
> Location: New London, CT
Delaware: University of Delaware
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $19,122
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 72.3%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 15:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 19,410
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Newark, DE
Florida: Ringling College of Art and Design
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $51,318
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 68.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,663
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Sarasota, FL
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Georgia: Savannah College of Art and Design
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $45,163
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 80.8%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 20:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 12,772
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Savannah, GA
Hawaii: Chaminade University of Honolulu
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $27,171
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 90.1%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,549
> Most popular field of study: Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services
> Location: Honolulu, HI
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Idaho: The College of Idaho
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $23,329
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 56.3%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,119
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Caldwell, ID
Illinois: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $50,214
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 81.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,795
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Chicago, IL
Indiana: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $39,294
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 77.4%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,081
> Most popular field of study: Engineering
> Location: Terre Haute, IN
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Iowa: Grinnell College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $37,423
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 10.5%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 9:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,748
> Most popular field of study: Social sciences
> Location: Grinnell, IA
Kansas: MidAmerica Nazarene University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $28,554
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 64.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,171
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Olathe, KS
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Kentucky: Transylvania University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $26,271
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 92.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 970
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Lexington, KY
Louisiana: Tulane University of Louisiana
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $45,048
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 9.6%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 8:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 8,700
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: New Orleans, LA
Maine: University of New England
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $36,261
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 90.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 3,671
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Biddeford, ME
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Maryland: Loyola University Maryland
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $32,901
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 84.2%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 3,787
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Baltimore, MD
Massachusetts: Emerson College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $48,842
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 45.3%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 13:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 4,117
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Boston, MA
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Michigan: Kettering University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $34,760
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 85.6%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,516
> Most popular field of study: Engineering
> Location: Flint, MI
Minnesota: Carleton College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $31,718
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 17.5%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 8:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,044
> Most popular field of study: Social sciences
> Location: Northfield, MN
Mississippi: Mississippi College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $18,667
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 49.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 13:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,523
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Clinton, MS
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Missouri: Saint Louis University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $30,096
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 70.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 9:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 8,745
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Saint Louis, MO
Montana: Carroll College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $24,285
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 83.9%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,098
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Helena, MT
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Nebraska: Creighton University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $31,040
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 77.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 4,481
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Omaha, NE
Nevada: Nevada State College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $17,046
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 79.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 18:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 7,158
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Henderson, NV
New Hampshire: Saint Anselm College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $34,450
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 77.6%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,954
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Manchester, NH
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New Jersey: Stevens Institute of Technology
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $40,828
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 52.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 4,064
> Most popular field of study: Engineering
> Location: Hoboken, NJ
New Mexico: Western New Mexico University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $13,483
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 100.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,982
> Most popular field of study: Precision production
> Location: Silver City, NM
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New York: New York University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $50,991
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 13.0%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 8:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 28,772
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: New York, NY
North Carolina: High Point University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $40,604
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 80.3%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 17:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 4,910
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: High Point, NC
North Dakota: University of Jamestown
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $20,095
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 75.8%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,018
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Jamestown, ND
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Ohio: Oberlin College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $44,689
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 34.3%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 9:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,942
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Oberlin, OH
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $26,350
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 79.2%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,429
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Oklahoma City, OK
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Oregon: Willamette University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $37,400
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 79.6%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,236
> Most popular field of study: Social sciences
> Location: Salem, OR
Pennsylvania: Lafayette College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $38,754
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 40.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 10:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,725
> Most popular field of study: Social sciences
> Location: Easton, PA
Rhode Island: Bryant University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $40,310
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 73.6%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 13:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 3,063
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Smithfield, RI
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South Carolina: Furman University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $33,999
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 71.4%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 9:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,307
> Most popular field of study: Social sciences
> Location: Greenville, SC
South Dakota: Augustana University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $26,795
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 71.8%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,715
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Sioux Falls, SD
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Tennessee: Belmont University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $35,268
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 88.1%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 14:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 7,076
> Most popular field of study: Visual and performing arts
> Location: Nashville, TN
Texas: Baylor University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $46,039
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 56.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 16:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 15,191
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Waco, TX
Utah: Westminster College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $26,956
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 75.7%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 8:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 1,166
> Most popular field of study: Health professions and related programs
> Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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Vermont: Champlain College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $36,276
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 62.4%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 13:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 3,217
> Most popular field of study: Computer and information sciences and support services
> Location: Burlington, VT
Virginia: Hampton University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $33,204
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 80.1%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 13:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 2,867
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Hampton, VA
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Washington: Seattle University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $36,671
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 82.1%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 11:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 4,241
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Seattle, WA
West Virginia: West Virginia Wesleyan College
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $20,512
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 84.4%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 12:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 982
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Buckhannon, WV
Wisconsin: Marquette University
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $33,566
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 86.3%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 13:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 7,660
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Milwaukee, WI
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Wyoming: University of Wyoming
> Avg. annual net price, 2020-21: $10,452
> Acceptance rate, 2020-21: 96.8%
> Student-to-faculty ratio, fall 2021: 14:1
> Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2021: 8,869
> Most popular field of study: Business, management, marketing, and related support services
> Location: Laramie, WY
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