Special Report

The Most Expensive Public Colleges in America

Education or student loan, financial aid and scholarship concept : US dollar cash bag, coins, a black graduation cap or hat / mortarboard on rising wood pole, depict the increasing cost of tuition fee
William Potter / Shutterstock.com

When it comes to deciding on which college or university to attend, prospective students no doubt consider many factors, though cost is likely a main one. Because of how they are funded — privately-funded colleges rely on tuition and donors, while public ones rely on federal, state, and local funding — public universities tend to be cheaper than private nonprofit schools.

For example, the average tuition and fees in the 2021-2022 school year was $38,185 for a private college, while it was just $10,338 for in-state students at public universities and colleges and $22,698 for out-of-state students in those schools, according to U.S. News and World Report. So while the 50 most expensive colleges nationwide are all private ones, not all public universities are that cheap.

To determine the 50 most expensive public colleges in the United States, 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 2021-22 school year, the most recent year of data available. Only public schools that predominantly grant bachelor’s degrees and had at least 1,000 undergraduates enrolled in fall 2022 were considered.

The schools on this list tend to be far larger than the 50 most expensive private schools, with an average undergraduate enrollment of 14,700 compared to 4,900 at the private colleges and universities. (Also see: Hardest College To Get Into In Every State.)

Also, while the net price at the most expensive private colleges starts at $39,809 and goes up from there, the net price at the most expensive public universities ranges from $20,321 to $29,425 — well below net prices at private schools.

50. Plymouth State University

Fall trees at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire
Pjard / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Plymouth, New Hampshire
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,321 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,376 (77% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 98%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 3,308
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

49. Texas A & M University-College Station

TriciaDaniel / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: College Station, Texas
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,375 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,518 (27% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 63%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 57,512
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

48. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington

benedek / Getty Images
  • Location: Abington, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,460 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,440 (53% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 93%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 3,090
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

47. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

smontgom65 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Location: Bowling Green, Ohio
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,485 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,683 (62% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 79%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 13,853
  • Most popular field of study: Education

46. Illinois State University

davidwilson1949 / Flickr
  • Location: Normal, Illinois
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,551 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,247 (49% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 18,055
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

45. The University of Alabama

Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,592 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,694 (39% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 80%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 32,458
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

44. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Penn State Nittany Lion
K. Jensen / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Altoona, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,621 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $11,382 (62% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 96%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 2,577
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

43. University of Rhode Island

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,695 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $11,356 (63% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 76%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 14,768
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

42. St. Mary’s College of Maryland

perspective / Flickr
  • Location: St. Mary’s City, Maryland
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,714 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,459 (46% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 77%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 1,497
  • Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

41. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown University in the morning. The sun is rising, and it gave a nice glow.
David J Garcia / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Kutztown, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,776 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,862 (70% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 96%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 6,497
  • Most popular field of study: Education

40. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

DebraMillet / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Location: Syracuse, New York
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,928 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,196 (53% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 70%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 1,621
  • Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

39. Rowan University

schuminweb / Flickr
  • Location: Glassboro, New Jersey
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $20,963 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,044 (51% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 77%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 15,231
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

38. Millersville University of Pennsylvania

101561334@N08 / Flickr / Public Domain
  • Location: Millersville, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,076 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,358 (67% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 92%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 5,814
  • Most popular field of study: Education

37. Western Washington University

theslowlane / Flickr
  • Location: Bellingham, Washington
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,105 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $6,936 (36% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 93%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 13,801
  • Most popular field of study: Education

36. College of Charleston

warrenlemay / Flickr / Public Domain
  • Location: Charleston, South Carolina
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,120 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,150 (51% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 76%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 9,972
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

35. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Pure gold from the mine that was unearthed was placed on the black sand.
Phawat / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,124 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,854 (55% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 83%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 2,163
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

34. Oregon State University

JPStrickler / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Corvallis, Oregon
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,163 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,622 (34% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 83%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 28,905
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

33. Virginia Commonwealth University

Jennifer Blount / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Richmond, Virginia
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,294 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,807 (47% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 91%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 20,958
  • Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

32. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Law School at LSU
Lebraix LeDoux / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,296 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,404 (32% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 76%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 30,952
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

31. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Location: Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,462 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,500 (74% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 4,443
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

30. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine

Penn State Nittany Lion
K. Jensen / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Media, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,600 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,242 (60% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 96%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 1,196
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

29. Massachusetts Maritime Academy

capecodphoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,668 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,859 (72% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 89%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 1,326
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

28. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Penn State Nittany Lion
K. Jensen / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,728 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,385 (57% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 97%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 2,071
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

27. Longwood University

Aerial View of the Rotunda Building on the Longwood University Campus in Farmville Virginia
Kyle J Little / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Farmville, Virginia
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,772 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,262 (57% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 3,154
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

26. University of Colorado Boulder

lhanaphotography / Flickr
  • Location: Boulder, Colorado
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,836 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,614 (29% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 81%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 31,034
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

25. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

sailaway46 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Charleston, South Carolina
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,846 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $13,093 (47% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 99%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 2,695
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

24. University of Vermont

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Burlington, Vermont
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,849 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,995 (47% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 60%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 11,898
  • Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

23. University of Mary Washington

gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,863 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,468 (35% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 3,493
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

22. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

sframephoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,880 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,094 (32% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 68%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 27,039
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

21. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Penn State Nittany Lion
K. Jensen / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $21,968 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,138 (64% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 95%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 3,188
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

20. University of Oregon

discoveroregon / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr
  • Location: Eugene, Oregon
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,077 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $7,821 (36% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 86%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 19,565
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

19. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Penn State Nittany Lion
K. Jensen / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,096 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,662 (44% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 96%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 4,063
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

18. The College of New Jersey

ldeitman / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Ewing, New Jersey
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,273 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,030 (50% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 64%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 7,039
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

17. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,291 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,481 (51% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 64%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 24,391
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

16. University of South Carolina-Columbia

Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Location: Columbia, South Carolina
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,427 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,631 (48% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 64%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 27,343
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

15. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Sunny view of the Bizzell Memorial Library of University of Oklahoma at Oklahoma
Kit Leong / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Norman, Oklahoma
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,601 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,429 (35% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 73%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 21,282
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

14. Michigan State University

kenlund / Flickr
  • Location: East Lansing, Michigan
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,803 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,138 (37% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 39,201
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

13. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

aimintang / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $22,973 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,427 (66% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 14,392
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

12. Miami University-Oxford

vomsorb / Flickr
  • Location: Oxford, Ohio
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $23,031 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,909 (42% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 88%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 16,864
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

11. Christopher Newport University

Top view of group of students sitting together at table. University students doing group study.
Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Newport News, Virginia
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $23,287 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,879 (41% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 85%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 4,449
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

10. Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $23,737 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,039 (64% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 79%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 1,833
  • Most popular field of study: Education

9. Temple University

RomanBabakin / Getty Images
  • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $23,935 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,571 (65% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 80%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 24,106
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

8. University of Connecticut

University graduation ceremonies on Commencement Day
f11photo / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Storrs, Connecticut
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $23,985 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,108 (47% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 55%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 18,983
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

7. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

adam_jones / Flickr
  • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $24,286 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,081 (54% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 49%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 24,420
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

6. University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
  • Location: Durham, New Hampshire
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $24,507 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $10,862 (58% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 87%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 11,512
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

5. Clemson University

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • Location: Clemson, South Carolina
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $24,577 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $11,748 (39% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 43%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 22,566
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

4. Auburn University

wellesenterprises / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Location: Auburn, Alabama
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $25,271 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $9,579 (30% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 44%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 25,379
  • Most popular field of study: Business Management and Administrative Services

3. William & Mary

photohoo / Getty Images
  • Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $25,688 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,882 (26% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 33%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 6,797
  • Most popular field of study: Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

2. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

The spring flowers in the campus of Penn State University in sunny day, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Lucky-photographer / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $26,747 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $13,414 (47% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 55%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 41,745
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

1. Colorado School of Mines

milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
  • Location: Golden, Colorado
  • Avg. annual net price to students awarded aid, 2021-22: $29,425 (nat’l avg: $15,523)
  • Avg. student loan to full-time, first-time undergraduates, 2021-22: $8,866 (40% taking student loan)
  • Percent admitted, 2022: 58%
  • Undergraduate enrollment, fall 2022: 5,714
  • Most popular field of study: Engineering

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