The priciest college out there?

Hey everyone, I've been hearing a lot about how much tuition and fees can rack up in college, but I’m curious, what is the most expensive college today? I mean, I can imagine that the Ivy Leagues carry a hefty price tag, but I'm wondering what other schools could compete with them in terms of cost. Thanks!

Hey there! When we talk about the "most expensive" college, we're likely referring to the sticker price—that is, the listed total cost before financial aid comes into play. As of my most recent knowledge, the college with the highest sticker price is University of Chicago, with a published price of over $93,000 a year for tuition, fees, room, and board.

However, it's important to understand that this sticker price isn't reflective of what most students end up paying. In fact, many students receive need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, or both, which considerably lower the cost of attendance. For example, at University of Chicago, more than half of undergraduate students receive need-based aid, and the average grant size is above $50,000.

As for Ivy League schools, yes, their cost of attendance can be quite high as well, but they also offer very generous financial aid packages. Places like Harvard and Princeton employ a need-blind admissions policy and meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. To demonstrate, Harvard ensures families earning under $65,000 annually aren't expected to contribute to tuition costs.

So remember, while these high costs can seem overwhelming at first, they don't necessarily paint the full picture of what you might be expected to pay. Always consider financial aid options when evaluating the overall cost of a college education.