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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Source: University of Alaska Anchorage
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
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
Source: Faina Gurevich / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
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Source: aimintang / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of Ringling College of Art and Design
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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Source: wellesenterprises / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of Chaminade University
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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Source: Courtesy of The College of Idaho
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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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Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of MidAmerica Nazarene University
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
Source: RAUL RODRIGUEZ / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of University of New England via Facebook
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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Source: Daniel Hanscom / iStock via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of Emerson College
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
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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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Source: JByard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of Nevada State College
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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Source: John Penney / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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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Source: CribbVisuals / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
Source: Courtesy of University of Jamestown
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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Source: uschools / Getty Images
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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Source: Courtesy of Willamette University
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
Source: CynthiaAnnF / iStock via Getty Images
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
Source: stevegeer / iStock via Getty Images
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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Source: catnap72 / iStock via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of Augustana University
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
Source: aimintang / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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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Source: Courtesy of Champlain College
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
Source: BackyardProduction / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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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Source: pabradyphoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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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