Top 5 heavy hitters: most expensive college in the US?

Just out of curiosity, I've been wondering which US colleges come with the heftiest price tags. I'm asking about the top five most expensive colleges in the US, including everything – tuition, room and board, fees, etc. Not bothering with financial aid or scholarships for now, just looking at straight-up costs.

Certainly, it's good to have an understanding of the cost landscape of colleges in the U.S. To address your question, keep in mind that these costs can vary slightly depending on a student's specific circumstances, such as housing choices at the college, meal plan, and if any additional fees may apply. However, as of 2024, based on the combined cost of tuition, room and board, and fees, the top five most expensive colleges in the U.S. are:

1. University of Chicago: The total cost runs about $93,633 per year. This includes full-time tuition fees, housing costs, and estimated additional costs such as textbooks, travel, and personal expenses.

2. Columbia University: The total cost is around $93,000. Tuition and fees, with housing and personal expenses rounding out the total.

3. Harvey Mudd College: The total cost is also around $93,000, with tuition and fees, room and board, and other expenses rounding it up.

4. Northwestern University: Here, the all-inclusive price tag is about $86,000. Tuition and fees, room and board, and personal expenses make up the rest.

5. Southern Methodist University: The total cost runs around $86,090. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, and other expenses.

Remember, these figures reflect the full sticker price, not taking into consideration any form of financial aid or scholarships that may significantly reduce these costs for many students. Be sure to use a school's net price calculator to get a more accurate estimate based on your family's financial situation. Also, some universities have particularly generous aid programs. For example, at Columbia, families earning less than $60,000 annually with typical assets are expected to pay nothing towards tuition, room and board, and fees.