In 2025, the average tuition and fees at 509 four-year public colleges is $23,087, reflecting a 1.31% increase compared to the previous year.Among the 509 institutions analyzed, tuition rose at 374 colleges, while tuition decreased at only 45 colleges.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks as the most expensive public colleges, with tuition and fees reaching $63,081. Known for its prestigious academic programs and strong reputation, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor remains a top choice for students seeking a premium education experience.
Close behind are University of Virginia-Main Campus at$61,591 and Virginia Military Institute at$52,638 both consistently recognized among the Public 4-Years Colleges with the Highest Tuition & Fees, offering high-quality academic programs and resources.
For these well-regarded Public 4-Years Colleges with the Highest Tuition & Fees, the average acceptance rate is 51.80% and the average SAT score is 1,358, indicating a moderately selective admissions process.
| School Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | Acceptance Rate | Total Population | SAT Score | Graduation Rate | Students to Faculty Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublic, 4-year | $63,081 ($18,848) $2,974 | $57,776 ($28,886) $2,724 | 15.64% | 52,855 | 1,460 | 93.00% | 11 to 1 |
| 2 - | University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublic, 4-year | $61,591 ($23,118) $1,958 | $37,628 ($23,526) $1,430 | 16.81% | 26,409 | 1,480 | 96.00% | 15 to 1 |
| 3 - | Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VAPublic, 4-year | $52,638 ($21,046) $1,452 | - (-) | 71.25% | 1,527 | 1,180 | 76.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 4 - | William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublic, 4-year | $51,038 ($25,734) $1,626 | $36,684 ($17,666) $244 | 34.07% | 9,818 | 1,470 | 89.00% | 12 to 1 |
| 5 1 | University of California-Davis Davis, CAPublic, 4-year | $47,692 ($15,804) $1,668 | $30,243 ($15,141) $581 | 41.83% | 40,065 | - | 86.00% | 22 to 1 |
| 6 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CAPublic, 4-year | $47,676 ($15,788) $1,634 | $30,199 ($15,097) $562 | 26.71% | 44,256 | - | 86.00% | 19 to 1 |
| 7 - | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublic, 4-year | $47,332 ($15,444) $1,590 | $30,226 ($15,124) $671 | 32.97% | 26,133 | - | 83.00% | 17 to 1 |
| 8 - | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublic, 4-year | $47,265 ($15,377) $1,638 | $30,968 ($15,866) $605 | 10.98% | 45,882 | - | 93.00% | 18 to 1 |
| 9 - | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublic, 4-year | $46,923 ($15,035) $1,586 | $30,512 ($15,410) $555 | 65.79% | 19,938 | - | 75.00% | 22 to 1 |
| 10 - | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CAPublic, 4-year | $46,640 ($14,752) $1,626 | $29,929 ($14,827) $552 | 28.57% | 37,297 | - | 87.00% | 19 to 1 |
| 11 1 | University of California-Merced Merced, CAPublic, 4-year | $46,541 ($14,653) $1,597 | $29,855 ($14,753) $566 | 90.53% | 9,110 | - | 69.00% | 20 to 1 |
| 12 1 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CAPublic, 4-year | $46,524 ($14,636) $1,577 | $30,014 ($14,912) $546 | 76.39% | 26,384 | - | 76.00% | 22 to 1 |
| 13 - | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublic, 4-year | $46,121 ($14,233) $1,597 | $29,578 ($14,476) $593 | 8.97% | 47,335 | - | 93.00% | 20 to 1 |
| 14 - | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublic, 4-year | $45,824 ($21,914) $1,448 | $45,824 ($22,100) $1,448 | 60.69% | 8,044 | 1,400 | 82.00% | 18 to 1 |
| 15 2 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublic, 4-year | $45,502 ($19,058) $1,612 | $34,262 ($14,426) $1,266 | 65.30% | 14,476 | 1,360 | 79.00% | 17 to 1 |
| 16 4 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublic, 4-year | $44,908 ($11,688) $2,130 | $22,954 ($12,006) - | 26.64% | 53,864 | 1,390 | 89.00% | 18 to 1 |
| 17 2 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublic, 4-year | $44,850 ($18,079) $810 | $41,848 ($21,772) $624 | 84.80% | 52,089 | 1,260 | 81.00% | 17 to 1 |
| 18 2 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublic, 4-year | $44,811 ($13,638) $875 | $36,387 ($17,827) $67 | - | 6,636 | - | - | 5 to 1 |
| 19 1 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublic, 4-year | $44,807 ($20,532) $1,718 | $25,916 ($25,916) $987 | 92.43% | 7,403 | 1,240 | 68.00% | 13 to 1 |
| 20 1 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublic, 4-year | $43,712 ($21,044) $678 | $44,784 ($22,872) $678 | 52.39% | 28,306 | 1,340 | 83.00% | 17 to 1 |
| 21 1 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WAPublic, 4-year | $43,404 ($13,168) $1,233 | $33,006 ($18,987) $321 | 82.52% | 4,965 | - | 63.00% | 15 to 1 |
| 22 1 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublic, 4-year | $43,400 ($15,400) $1,220 | $26,550 ($26,550) $1,050 | 76.27% | 1,989 | - | 69.00% | 9 to 1 |
| 23 - | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublic, 4-year | $43,209 ($12,973) $1,212 | $32,811 ($18,792) $300 | 39.15% | 56,997 | - | 85.00% | 20 to 1 |
| 24 1 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WAPublic, 4-year | $43,155 ($12,919) $1,242 | $32,757 ($18,738) $330 | 90.60% | 6,058 | - | 65.00% | 22 to 1 |
| 25 2 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublic, 4-year | $43,132 ($15,748) $2,198 | $34,403 ($11,367) $1,313 | - | 4,938 | - | - | 5 to 1 |
| Average | $47,271 ($16,825) | $33,963 ($18,210) | 51.80% | 25,311 | 1,358 | 81.13% | 16 to 1 |