Over the past three decades, the average cost of four-year college tuition at a public institution in the United States has roughly tripled — and that is after adjusting for inflation. Over roughly the same period, college costs have increased at approximately eight times the rate of wages. Here is a year-by-year look at how the cost of college has climbed in recent decades.
Because of the complex web of institutional funding programs, including student aid, grants, work-study, and loans, however, the top-line cost of attending college — the figure the public most commonly sees — is often very different from what students actually pay. And the cost of attending college after tuition discounts still varies considerably by type of institution, family financial status, academic performance in the first year of college, and a range of other factors, including the geographic location of the institution.
To identify the most expensive college in every state, 24/7 Wall St. ranked states based on the average net price — the cost of attendance including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and on-campus room and board less any grant, scholarship, or aid from federal, state, local governmental or institutional sources — for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates who were awarded financial aid for the 2016-7 school year with data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Colleges that have four-year degree programs but are primarily two-year schools were excluded from consideration.
The most expensive schools in each state often have very little in common and vary a great deal in selectivity and prestige. In smaller states with fewer postsecondary institutions, some of the schools have relatively high acceptance rates. In larger states with more expensive schools, the most expensive school tends to be highly selective. Here is a look at the hardest colleges to get into.
Click here to see the most expensive colleges in every state
Click here to read our methodology
Alabama: Tuskegee University
> Annual net price: $30,847
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,870
> Tuskegee University admission rate: 50.3%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $380
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Source: Courtesy of Alaska Pacific University
Alaska: Alaska Pacific University
> Annual net price: $17,866
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $7,820
> Alaska Pacific University admission rate: 86.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $940
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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Source: Embry-Riddle Prescott / Wikimedia Commons
Arizona: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
> Annual net price: $34,120
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $11,540
> Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott admission rate: 76.5%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $60
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Source: John Brown University
Arkansas: John Brown University
> Annual net price: $22,338
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,710
> John Brown University admission rate: 75.8%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $950
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: BART
California: San Francisco Art Institute
> Annual net price: $52,451
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,870
> San Francisco Art Institute admission rate: 74.7%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,180
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Source: Photo by Steven D Starr / Corbis via Getty Images
Colorado: University of Denver
> Annual net price: $35,163
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $11,140
> University of Denver admission rate: 58.0%
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Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Connecticut: Sacred Heart University
> Annual net price: $40,177
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $12,760
> Sacred Heart University admission rate: 60.3%
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Source: Wesley College
Delaware: Wesley College
> Annual net price: $23,823
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $12,700
> Wesley College admission rate: 61.5%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $580
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Source: Courtesy of Ringling College of Art and Design
Florida: Ringling College of Art and Design
> Annual net price: $49,828
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $6,360
> Ringling College of Art and Design admission rate: 63.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $550
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Georgia: Savannah College of Art and Design
> Annual net price: $41,738
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,580
> Savannah College of Art and Design admission rate: 92.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $2,030
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Source: nesneJkraM / Getty Images
Hawaii: Hawaii Pacific University
> Annual net price: $28,706
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,800
> Hawaii Pacific University admission rate: 74.7%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $80
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Source: Stevens-Henager College
Idaho: Stevens-Henager College
> Annual net price: $25,998
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $7,590
> Stevens-Henager College admission rate: N/A
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $130
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Source: Daniel Boczarski / Getty Images
Illinois: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
> Annual net price: $45,728
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $13,970
> School of the Art Institute of Chicago admission rate: 69.8%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $750
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Indiana: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
> Annual net price: $41,536
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,490
> Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology admission rate: 60.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,110
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Source: Wolterk / Getty Images
Iowa: Grinnell College
> Annual net price: $29,492
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,080
> Grinnell College admission rate: 28.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $390
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Source: Kansas Wesleyan University
Kansas: Kansas Wesleyan University
> Annual net price: $25,631
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,100
> Kansas Wesleyan University admission rate: 53.6%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $120
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Source: Sullivan College of Technology and Design
Kentucky: Sullivan College of Technology and Design
> Annual net price: $27,930
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,710
> Sullivan College of Technology and Design admission rate: 76.3%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,320
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
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Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images
Louisiana: Tulane University of Louisiana
> Annual net price: $33,886
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,550
> Tulane University of Louisiana admission rate: 21.5%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,310
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Source: Courtesy of University of New England via Facebook
Maine: University of New England
> Annual net price: $33,204
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,230
> University of New England admission rate: 80.7%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $380
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Maryland: Maryland Institute College of Art
> Annual net price: $41,386
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,900
> Maryland Institute College of Art admission rate: 61.6%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $450
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Source: nasacommons / Flickr
Massachusetts: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
> Annual net price: $43,027
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $13,200
> Worcester Polytechnic Institute admission rate: 48.5%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $300
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Source: Bryan Duggan / Wikimedia Commons
Michigan: Kettering University
> Annual net price: $37,703
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $13,420
> Kettering University admission rate: 70.3%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $280
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Source: sshepard / Getty Images
Minnesota: University of St Thomas
> Annual net price: $31,470
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $11,540
> University of St Thomas admission rate: 84.2%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $870
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Mississippi: Millsaps College
> Annual net price: $23,413
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,420
> Millsaps College admission rate: 48.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $270
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Source: pauladamsphotos / Flickr
Missouri: Conception Seminary College
> Annual net price: $32,239
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,670
> Conception Seminary College admission rate: 100.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $520
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Source: Dngvandaele / Wikimedia Commons
Montana: Carroll College
> Annual net price: $26,636
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $7,100
> Carroll College admission rate: 77.8%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $30
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Source: The Creative Center via Facebook
Nebraska: The Creative Center
> Annual net price: $36,338
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,510
> The Creative Center admission rate: 65.1%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $230
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Source: Courtesy of DeVry University
Nevada: DeVry University-Nevada
> Annual net price: $31,241
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $7,660
> DeVry University-Nevada admission rate: 75.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $550
See all stories featuring: Nevada
Source: DeLarge77 / Wikimedia Commons
New Hampshire: Southern New Hampshire University
> Annual net price: $39,638
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $16,460
> Southern New Hampshire University admission rate: 78.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $0
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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Source: Michael Bocchieri / Getty Images
New Jersey: Stevens Institute of Technology
> Annual net price: $38,469
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $14,180
> Stevens Institute of Technology admission rate: 43.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,410
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
New Mexico: St. John’s College
> Annual net price: $31,845
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $7,130
> St. John’s College admission rate: 63.2%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,290
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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Source: Courtesy of Jewish Theological Seminary of America
New York: Jewish Theological Seminary of America
> Annual net price: $49,210
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,190
> Jewish Theological Seminary of America admission rate: 52.7%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,110
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Source: Bandwidth47 / Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina: High Point University
> Annual net price: $39,101
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $7,220
> High Point University admission rate: 80.7%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $820
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
Source: Courtesy of Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
North Dakota: Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
> Annual net price: $20,408
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,660
> Trinity Bible College and Graduate School admission rate: 42.4%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $480
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Source: Theseus.u / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: Cleveland Institute of Music
> Annual net price: $40,676
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,790
> Cleveland Institute of Music admission rate: 43.1%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $290
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City University
> Annual net price: $27,234
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,750
> Oklahoma City University admission rate: 71.7%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $630
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Source: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images
Oregon: Lewis & Clark College
> Annual net price: $35,872
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,610
> Lewis & Clark College admission rate: 71.4%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $460
See all stories featuring: Oregon
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Pennsylvania: Drexel University
> Annual net price: $40,977
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $14,770
> Drexel University admission rate: 79.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $860
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Source: Scott Wintrow / Getty Images
Rhode Island: Rhode Island School of Design
> Annual net price: $39,777
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $12,530
> Rhode Island School of Design admission rate: 31.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $150
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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Source: Courtesy of Erskine College
South Carolina: Erskine College
> Annual net price: $34,550
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $12,950
> Erskine College admission rate: 54.5%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $2,190
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
Source: Dakota Wesleyan University
South Dakota: Dakota Wesleyan University
> Annual net price: $20,948
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,690
> Dakota Wesleyan University admission rate: 76.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $150
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Source: Courtesy of SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville via Facebook
Tennessee: SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville
> Annual net price: $36,730
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,950
> SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville admission rate: N/A
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,690
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Source: Tom Pennington / Getty Images
Texas: Baylor University
> Annual net price: $37,745
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $10,300
> Baylor University admission rate: 38.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $870
See all stories featuring: Texas
Source: Stevens-Henager College
Utah: Stevens-Henager College
> Annual net price: $27,665
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $6,990
> Stevens-Henager College admission rate: N/A
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $60
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Vermont: Landmark College
> Annual net price: $51,032
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $16,610
> Landmark College admission rate: 58.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $650
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Source: Devry University
Virginia: DeVry University-Virginia
> Annual net price: $33,227
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $13,490
> DeVry University-Virginia admission rate: 70.0%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,110
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Source: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons
Washington: University of Puget Sound
> Annual net price: $40,065
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,760
> University of Puget Sound admission rate: 83.9%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,270
See all stories featuring: Washington
Source: Courtesy of Salem University
West Virginia: Salem University
> Annual net price: $19,540
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $8,290
> Salem University admission rate: N/A
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $1,140
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Source: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Marquette University
> Annual net price: $32,377
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $9,080
> Marquette University admission rate: 89.3%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $540
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Source: Theo Stroomer / Getty Images
Wyoming: University of Wyoming
> Annual net price: $13,441
> Statewide avg. 4-yr. public university tuition: $5,400
> University of Wyoming admission rate: 96.8%
> Total state student grant aid spending per student: $750
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To identify the most expensive college in every state, 24/7 Wall St. ranked states based on average net price — the cost of attendance including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and on-campus room and board less any grant, scholarship, or aid from federal, state, local governmental or institutional sources — for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates who were awarded financial aid for the 2016-7 school year with data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Data on acceptance rates also came from the NCES. Colleges that have four-year degree programs but are primarily two-year schools were excluded from consideration.
Data on average published in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions for the 2018-19 school year and student needs-based grant aid spending per full-time-equivalent undergraduate student for the 2016-17 school year by state came from the College Board.
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