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
Source: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com
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
Source: teofilo / Flickr
- 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
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: raclro / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- 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
Source: gregobagel / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Robby Followell / Wikimedia Commons
- 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
Source: BSPollard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: hardgravephoto / Flickr
- 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
Source: warrenlemay / Flickr
- 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
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Dngvandaele / Wikimedia Commons
- 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
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- 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
Source: JTGrafix / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: JByard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Real Window Creative / Shutterstock.com
- 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
Source: Ingus Kruklitis / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- 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
Source: diversey / Flickr
- 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
Source: edbierman / Flickr
- 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
Source: catnap72 / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: fongbeerredhot / Shutterstock.com
- 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
Source: marcn / Flickr
- 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
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
- 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
Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr
- 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
Source: Nathan Livedalen / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
- 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
Source: deldevries / Flickr
- 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
Source: fongbeerredhot / Shutterstock.com
- 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
Source: ivanastar / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: BSPollard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: sillysocks / Flickr
- 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
Source: John Penney / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Carl Hill / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: William Thomas Cain / Getty Images
- 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
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: aimintang / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- 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
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: wellesenterprises / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: chapin31 / Getty Images
- 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
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- 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
Source: kim willems / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: RAUL RODRIGUEZ / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Source: RAUL RODRIGUEZ / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Christopher Capozziello / Getty Images
- 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
Source: seier / Flickr
- 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
Source: Daniel Boczarski / Getty Images
- 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
Source: sergeigussev / Flickr
- 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
Source: Ryan McGill / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
