Hey guys! I was just having a fun discussion with my folks about universities and their costs. Does anyone know which is the highest-priced college in the whole of North America? It's not that I'm targeting the priciest, just a curiosity. Thanks a bunch!
Responding from a college admissions counselor's perspective here!
As of the 2024-2025 school year, the most expensive college in North America, in terms of tuition and fees, is Columbia University in the City of New York. The tuition, fees, room, and board at Columbia University run up to over $80,000 per year. Remember though, these costs do not necessarily represent the amount families end up paying. Most colleges offer financial aid for their students, and Columbia, with its significant endowment, is no exception.
Columbia provides financial aid to a large number of its students. So while its sticker price may be the highest in North America, what most students pay, also known as the net price, might be significantly less, especially for students from low and middle-income families. A study of a college's net price versus the sticker price could potentially reveal a different "most expensive" college, particularly for students from higher income brackets who do not qualify for need-based aid.
Always make sure to look at the net price, not the sticker price, when comparing college costs. Most colleges have a net price calculator on their website that you can use to estimate what you would pay after financial aid. That said, continuing to research and gather information is a great way to understand college costs, and it's really no small feat. Keep up the good work!
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