2025 Most Expensive Public Colleges

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 Colleges with the Highest Tuition & Fees, offering high-quality academic programs and resources.

For these well-regarded Public Colleges with the Highest Tuition & Fees, the average acceptance rate is 53.06% and the average SAT score is 1,357, indicating a moderately selective admissions process.

Comparison between Public Colleges With The Highest Tuition & Fees

Table. Public Colleges With The Highest Tuition & Fees Comparison
School NameUndergraduate Tuition & FeesGraduate Tuition & FeesAcceptance RateTotal PopulationSAT ScoreGraduation RateStudents 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%52,8551,46093.00%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%26,4091,48096.00%15 to 1
3
-		Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VAPublic, 4-year $52,638
($21,046)
$1,452		-
(-)		71.25%1,5271,18076.00%9 to 1
4
-		William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublic, 4-year $51,038
($25,734)
$1,626		$36,684
($17,666)
$244		34.07%9,8181,47089.00%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%8,0441,40082.00%18 to 1
15
1		University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublic, 4-year $45,502
($19,058)
$1,612		$34,262
($14,426)
$1,266		65.30%14,4761,36079.00%17 to 1
16
3		The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublic, 4-year $44,908
($11,688)
$2,130		$22,954
($12,006)
-		26.64%53,8641,39089.00%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%52,0891,26081.00%17 to 1
18
1		Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublic, 4-year $44,807
($20,532)
$1,718		$25,916
($25,916)
$987		92.43%7,4031,24068.00%13 to 1
19
1		University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublic, 4-year $43,712
($21,044)
$678		$44,784
($22,872)
$678		52.39%28,3061,34083.00%17 to 1
20
-		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
21
-		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
22
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
23
1		University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublic, 4-year $42,970
($15,214)
$1,027		$38,802
($16,634)
$782		78.08%38,7991,34074.00%19 to 1
24
-		University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublic, 4-year $42,516
($15,320)
$1,322		$33,379
($19,474)
$670		88.30%24,4041,26072.00%19 to 1
25
-		University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WIPublic, 4-year $42,103
($11,603)
$1,500		$25,651
($12,325)
$36		45.20%51,0441,46090.00%18 to 1
Average$47,121
($16,719)		$33,984
($17,905)		53.06%29,3381,35781.32%18 to 1