The Most (And Least) Affordable Colleges and Universities

Did you know there’s an entire government website dedicated to revealing the best and worst deals in higher education? The Higher Education Opportunity Act requires financial details to be posted on the College Navigator website in order to increase transparency surrounding the cost of college. According to CollegeCost.ed.gov, here are the best bargains and highest priced colleges and universities.

Public, 4-Year Schools

Highest Tuition:

1. Pennsylvania State University’s Main Campus, annual tuition is $14,416

2. University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Campus, annual tuition is $14,154

3. University of Vermont, annual tuition is $13,554

4. St. Mary’s College of Maryland, annual tuition is $12,856

5. New Jersey Institute of Technology, annual tuition is $12,856

Lowest Tuition:

1. Haskell Indian Nations University, annual tuition is $430

2. Dine College, annual tuition is $805

3. University of Puerto Rico’s Rio Piedras Campus, annual tuition is $1,320

4. Brazosport College, annual tuition is $1,542

5. University of Puerto Rico in Ponce, annual tuition is $1,815

Private For-Profit, 4-year Schools

Highest Tuition:

1. Sanford-Brown College, annual tuition is $45,628

2. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, annual tuition is $38,200

3. Collins College, annual tuition is $34,063

4. Platt College’s Los Angeles campus, annual tuition is $33,919

5. Platt College’s Ontario campus, annual tuition is $33,919

1. EDP College of Puerto Rico Inc, annual tuition is $5,100

2. University of Phoenix’s Puerto Rico Campus, annual tuition is $5,760

3. American Public University System, annual tuition is $6,000

4. National American University’s Ellsworth AFB Extension, annual tuition is $6,004

5. National College of Business and Technology’s Arecibo campus, annual tuition is $6,390

Private Not-for-Profit, 4-year Schools

Highest Tuition:

1. Bates College, annual tuition is $51,300

2. Connecticut College, annual tuition is $51,115

3. Middlebury College, annual tuition is $50,780

4. Union College, annual tuition is $50,439

5. Colby College, annual tuition is $50,320

Lowest Tuition:

1. Webb Institute, annual tuition is $0

2. Berea College, annual tuition is $876

3. Sinte Gleska University, annual tuition is $1,574

4. Magnolia Bible College, annual tuition is $1,740

5. Turtle Mountain Community College, annual tuition is $2,000

As you can see, there is a huge disparity between tuition rates at various colleges and universities. You can definitely find good buys and expensive schools all over the country. So before you choose a school, consider the cost so earning a degree doesn’t leave you saddled with debt.

By Alison Storm

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