In 2025, the average tuition and fees at 976 four-year private colleges is $35,423, reflecting a -5.30% increase compared to the previous year.Among the 976 institutions analyzed, tuition rose at 714 colleges, while tuition decreased at only 38 colleges.
University of Southern California ranks as the most expensive private colleges, with tuition and fees reaching $71,647. Known for its prestigious academic programs and strong reputation, University of Southern California remains a top choice for students seeking a premium education experience.
Close behind are Kenyon College at$71,520 and Brown University at$71,312 both consistently recognized among the Private Colleges with the Highest Tuition & Fees, offering high-quality academic programs and resources.
Across these elite Private Colleges with the Highest Tuition & Fees, the average acceptance rate is 17.20% and the average SAT score is 1,483, underscoring their extremely selective admissions process and high academic standards.
| School Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | Acceptance Rate | Total Population | SAT Score | Graduation Rate | Students to Faculty Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate, 4-year | $71,647 $3,410 | $71,515 $3,387 | 9.81% | 46,566 | 1,500 | 92.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 2 1 | Kenyon College Gambier, OHPrivate, 4-year | $71,520 $2,190 | - | 31.03% | 2,249 | 1,420 | 82.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 3 1 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate, 4-year | $71,312 $3,082 | $69,948 $2,942 | 5.39% | 11,956 | 1,540 | 96.00% | 6 to 1 |
| 4 5 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate, 4-year | $71,030 $3,225 | $67,805 - | 18.57% | 2,462 | 1,500 | 91.00% | 7 to 1 |
| 5 3 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PAPrivate, 4-year | $70,794 $2,414 | - | 28.19% | 1,808 | 1,375 | 84.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 6 5 | Trinity College Hartford, CTPrivate, 4-year | $70,770 $3,350 | $20,890 $2,010 | 29.25% | 2,238 | 1,405 | 84.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 7 - | Colorado College Colorado Springs, COPrivate, 4-year | $70,734 $2,802 | $31,350 $2,450 | 18.47% | 2,056 | 1,340 | 88.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 8 - | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate, 4-year | $70,704 $2,860 | $50,798 $1,322 | 11.49% | 13,599 | 1,510 | 94.00% | 10 to 1 |
| 9 1 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate, 4-year | $70,702 $3,022 | $37,520 $1,620 | 16.43% | 15,432 | 1,500 | 91.00% | 10 to 1 |
| 10 5 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate, 4-year | $70,517 $2,346 | $57,973 $1,694 | 3.99% | 35,173 | 1,550 | 96.00% | 6 to 1 |
| 11 1 | Amherst College Amherst, MAPrivate, 4-year | $70,480 $3,200 | - | 9.01% | 1,914 | 1,540 | 94.00% | 6 to 1 |
| 12 6 | Haverford College Haverford, PAPrivate, 4-year | $70,398 $2,378 | - | 12.37% | 1,431 | 1,510 | 90.00% | 8 to 1 |
| 13 - | Colgate University Hamilton, NYPrivate, 4-year | $70,306 $3,282 | $70,306 $3,282 | 13.88% | 3,211 | 1,500 | 91.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 14 1 | Wesleyan University Middletown, CTPrivate, 4-year | $70,042 $3,026 | $69,702 $2,966 | 16.49% | 4,011 | 1,490 | 93.00% | 8 to 1 |
| 15 1 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate, 4-year | $69,918 $3,176 | $44,056 $2,036 | 62.86% | 8,976 | 1,370 | 83.00% | 12 to 1 |
| 16 4 | Barnard College New York, NYPrivate, 4-year | $69,888 $3,642 | - | 8.84% | 3,487 | 1,520 | 93.00% | 10 to 1 |
| 17 - | Colby College Waterville, MEPrivate, 4-year | $69,600 $3,000 | - | 7.09% | 2,412 | 1,510 | 89.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 18 4 | Reed College Portland, ORPrivate, 4-year | $69,350 $2,330 | - | 24.61% | 1,358 | 1,420 | 71.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 19 6 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate, 4-year | $69,324 $3,705 | $68,652 $2,109 | 4.48% | 18,566 | 1,550 | 96.00% | 5 to 1 |
| 20 2 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate, 4-year | $69,314 $3,300 | $30,160 $75 | 8.76% | 26,793 | 1,540 | 95.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 21 3 | Union College Schenectady, NYPrivate, 4-year | $69,039 $2,583 | - | 43.92% | 2,065 | 1,390 | 80.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 22 49 | Hamilton College Clinton, NYPrivate, 4-year | $68,960 $6,220 | - | 13.62% | 2,031 | 1,500 | 91.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 23 5 | Carleton College Northfield, MNPrivate, 4-year | $68,892 $3,435 | - | 20.41% | 2,128 | 1,515 | 90.00% | 8 to 1 |
| 24 - | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate, 4-year | $68,758 $2,953 | $66,523 $2,538 | 5.71% | 17,499 | 1,540 | 97.00% | 5 to 1 |
| 25 4 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate, 4-year | $68,686 $2,582 | $47,844 $1,810 | 5.40% | 29,109 | 1,550 | 97.00% | 8 to 1 |
| Average | $70,107 | $53,669 | 17.20% | 10,341 | 1,483 | 89.92% | 8 to 1 |