In the 2017-18 school year, the average tuition for a student attending a four-year private university was $34,740. In addition, student loan debt in America surpassed $1.5 trillion earlier in 2018, and it’s a number that continues to grow as tuition rises.
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “the most expensive schools in the world?” Likely, your mind conjures images of ivy-covered buildings, rolling green hills, and luxurious dormitories. And if so, you would be right on target. These schools are some of the most elite and expensive in the world.
According to The Economist’s 2019 report on the subject, they come with a hefty price tag that often ranges into millions of dollars per year.
So what makes these schools so unique? And why are they so expensive? In many cases, the schools offer top-notch facilities and world-class education programs. They also tend to have large endowments that allow them to provide generous financial aid packages to students from all backgrounds.
The Most Expensive Schools In The World 2019
10. University of Southern California
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,225
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. It is the largest private employer in Los Angeles County and one of its leading research universities. USC has been ranked as one of the most expensive schools globally for 2019.
The total cost of attendance for undergraduate students at USC is $72,644 per year. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
9. Tufts University
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,382
tufts university
The top 10 most expensive schools in the world are all located in the United States, according to the 2019 World University Rankings. Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, is the only school from outside the country to make a list, coming in at number 10 with an annual tuition cost of $63,110.
8. Amherst College
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,426
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. It is one of the most expensive schools in the world, with tuition and fees totalling $71,342 for the 2019-2020 school year. Amherst offers a rigorous academic curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
The college has a strong focus on civic engagement and community service, and its alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympians, and business leaders. The United States Naval Academy, Military Academy and Air Force Academy.
7. Franklin and Marshall College
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,550
Franklin and Marshall College (F&M) is a private liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1787. The college has about 2,300 students and is one of the most expensive schools in the world. Tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 school year were $51,610.
Room and board cost an additional $13,620. F&M offers a wide range of majors, including business, engineering, education, and music.
6. Landmark College
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,800
Landmark College, located in Putney, Vermont, is a private institution that specializes in the education of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. It is also one of the most expensive schools in the world, with tuition and fees totalling $58,740 for the 2018-2019 school year.
Despite its high cost, Landmark College is considered a “best value” school by U.S. News and World Report due to its low student-to-faculty ratio and extensive support services for students with learning disabilities.
The college has also been recognized as one of the top colleges in the country for students who want to major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).
5. Harvey Mudd College
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,876
Harvey Mudd College is one of the most expensive schools in the world. It ranks as the third most expensive school in the United States and the ninth most expensive school globally. The cost of attendance for the 2018-2019 academic year is $72,000.
The high price tag comes with some impressive perks, though. For example, Harvey Mudd College has a 100% acceptance rate and is ranked as one of the best engineering schools in the country. The college also offers generous financial aid packages to those who need them.
Despite its high price tag, Harvey Mudd College remains a popular choice for students looking for an excellent education combined with top-notch facilities and faculty.
4. Trinity College
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,910
Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, is the most expensive school globally, with annual tuition of $61,396. Columbia University follows it in New York City and the University of Cambridge in England.
The average cost for an undergraduate degree at a private college in the United States is now over $34,000 per year. To afford these increasing costs, students are taking out more and more loans. As a result, America’s total student loan debt has now surpassed $1.5 trillion.
3. Vassar College
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $56,960
The ranking of the most expensive schools globally is always a moving target. The top spot has changed hands many times, but one school has always been near the top: Vassar College.
Vassar is a private liberal arts school located in Poughkeepsie, New York. It is one of the most expensive schools in the United States, and it is also one of the most expensive schools in the world. In 2019, Vassar College was ranked the third most costly school globally.
There are a few reasons why Vassar College is so expensive. First and foremost, it is a private school. Private schools typically charge more than public schools because tax dollars do not support them. Additionally, Vassar is a prestigious school with a long history of academic excellence.
2. University of Chicago
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $57,006
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. The university comprises the College of the University of Chicago, six professional schools, and a graduate division. It enrolls approximately 5,700 students. The university’s endowment stood at $8.5 billion in 2018.
The University of Chicago is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities. It was ranked 3rd overall in the 2019 World University Rankings. In addition, the university’s economics and business programs are consistently ranked among the best in the world.
The University of Chicago is also one of the most expensive schools globally. Tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year totalled $52,724. Room and board costs totalled an additional $15,506.
1. Columbia University
2018-19 Tuition & Fees: $59, 430
Columbia University is one of the most prestigious schools globally and is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive. Located in New York City, Columbia’s tuition, room, and board rates easily exceed $70,000 per year.
The university offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has a student population of over 30,000. Columbia alumni include eight United States presidents, more than 130 Nobel laureates, numerous business leaders and famous actors and actresses. U.S. News & World Report, in their most recent rankings of national universities, placed
