Which D1 colleges are the most expensive?

I'm a student athlete aspiring to play Division I sports in college, and I'm currently plotting out my athletic and academic path. I was just wondering, out of curiosity, which D1 colleges typically come in as the most expensive ones?

The cost of colleges can vary greatly and change each year, so I'll provide a general landscape for D1 colleges as of recent years. Typically, many of the private D1 colleges tend to have higher sticker prices than public ones, although financial aid packages can significantly reduce these costs. The most expensive colleges overall (including D1 schools) often include Columbia University, University of Southern California, and Pepperdine University, with total costs (tuition, fees, living expenses, books, etc.) often exceeding $93,000 per year.

However, don't let these numbers intimidate you. At many of these institutions, the average student receives considerable financial aid or grants, making the net price - what students actually pay - far less. For instance, Harvard, despite its high sticker price, can be remarkably affordable for many families due to its strong financial aid program. If your family earns less than $85,000 per year, you pay nothing towards the cost of attendance, and if your family earns between $85,000 and $150,000 a year, you pay between 0 and 10% of your annual income.

Another important note: Athletic scholarships, if available for your sport, can also play a big role in affordability. NCAA Division I schools have the largest athletic budgets and tend to offer the most athletic scholarships.

Remember, sticker price isn't the whole story, so make sure to consider net price and financial aid opportunities as you are looking into colleges!