With the cost of college tuition on the rise, more and more students are finding it difficult to afford higher education. The average price of tuition and fees for the 2014-2019 school year was $31,231 at private colleges, $9,139 for state residents at public colleges, and $22,958 for out-of-state residents attending public universities.
This vast expense is causing students to take out more loans, work longer hours, and delay starting their families. It’s also forcing many students to drop out of school altogether.
The high cost of college is a significant problem in our country. It’s preventing many people from getting an education, which is essential for getting ahead in today’s economy. We need to find a way to make higher education more affordable for everyone.
The Best Value Colleges 2022
10. Rice University
Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. It is one of the best value colleges in the country and was ranked 10th on Niche’s list of the 100 Best Values in Private Colleges for 2022.
Rice offers an excellent education at an affordable price and has a 93% freshman retention rate. The university strongly focuses on undergraduate education and offers many opportunities for students to get involved on campus. Rice also has a beautiful campus with plenty of green space to relax and study.
9. Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College is consistently ranked as one of the best value colleges in the United States. In fact, in 2022, it was ranked as the #9 best value college in the country. Harvey Mudd College offers an excellent education at an affordable price. The tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 school year were just over $70,000.
However, the college offers generous financial aid packages that reduce most students’ costs. In addition, Harvey Mudd College has a high graduation rate, and students typically earn good salaries after graduation. Therefore, students can expect to get a great return on their investment at Harvey Mudd College.
8. The United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federally funded maritime college located in Kings Point, New York. It is one of the five United States service academies and offers a four-year program leading to a bachelor of science degree and a commission in the U.S. Merchant Marine. The academy has been ranked as one of the best value colleges for 2022 by the Niche ranking.
The academy’s tuition and fees are lower than most private universities, and its graduates have a 98% employment rate and an average starting salary of $72,000. In addition, the academy offers unique opportunities for hands-on learning, during which students work aboard commercial vessels.
7. Yale University
Yale University offers an outstanding education at an affordable price. It is one of the best-value colleges in the country. According to the Princeton Review, Yale is ranked #1 for Best Financial Aid and #7 for Best Value Colleges 2022.
The university has a total cost of attendance of $69,000, which is lower than many private universities. In addition, Yale offers generous scholarships and grants that reduce the cost of attending by more than half for most students.
6. Duke University
Duke University is a prestigious university located in Durham, North Carolina. It is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the United States. Duke offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The university strongly focuses on research, and its faculty are highly respected scholars in their fields. Duke also has an excellent reputation for its business and law programs.
Despite its high cost, Duke has still considered a good value for students. The university offers generous financial aid packages to qualifying students. In addition, Duke’s tuition rates are relatively low compared to other Ivy League schools. As a result, Duke students can expect a top-notch education that will prepare them for careers in any field.
5. Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a small, private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia. The school has consistently been ranked as one of the best value colleges in the country, and it was named the #5 value college in the country by Barron’s in 2022.
Washington and Lee offer an excellent education at a fraction of the cost of more prominent universities. The school has an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and students have access to dozens of clubs and organizations. Washington and Lee also offer several study abroad opportunities.
4. Princeton University
Princeton University came out on top. The ranking considers tuition, fees, room and board, and financial aid. Princeton is one of the most selective schools in the country, but it also offers generous financial aid packages.
Over 60% of students receive some form of financial assistance. For example, the university costs $69,000 for the 2019-2020 school year, but the average scholarship award is $48,000. That means that the net cost for most students is around $21,000 per year.
Princeton offers various majors and programs and strongly focuses on research. Unfortunately, the university is also located in one of the most expensive cities in the country.
3. Harvard University
Harvard University is the number one best-value college in America. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is an Ivy League school that offers an excellent education at a reasonable price.
The total cost of attendance for the 2018-2019 school year is $67,580, including tuition, room and board, and fees. While this may seem like a lot of money, it is much less than the cost of attending other top private universities.
For example, the total cost of attendance at Yale University is $77,580, and at Stanford University, it is $76,220. So why is Harvard such a good value? One reason is that the school offers many scholarships and financial aid packages.
2. Stanford University
Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. Stanford is known for its academic strength, wealth, and proximity to Silicon Valley. However, it admitted just 2,040 students in 2018, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States.
Despite its selectivity, Stanford offers an excellent value. In-state students pay just $15,860 per year, while out-of-state students pay $51,270. That’s compared to the average annual cost of $35,830 for private universities and $25,620 for public universities.
Moreover, Stanford ranks #2 on the niches list of the best value colleges for 2022. The school offers top-notch education with generous financial aid packages that help make it affordable for all students.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is consistently ranked as one of the best value colleges in the country. In 2022, M.I.T. was ranked #1 on Kiplinger’s list of the 100 best-value colleges and universities in the United States.
M.I.T. is also ranked #1 for Best Engineering School and #4 for Best Business School by U.S. News & World Report.
M.I.T offers an excellent education at a fraction of the cost of private schools. In-state students pay just over $40,000 per year, while out-of-state students pay over $48,000 per year. However, with M.I.T’s strong reputation and vast alumni network, graduates typically earn a higher salary than graduates from other schools with similar tuition costs.
Read more about The Best Value Colleges 2022 on Niche.
The Best Value Colleges 2022
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- Washington and Lee University
- Duke University
- Yale University
- The United States Merchant Marine Academy
- Harvey Mudd College
- Rice University
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