Some US colleges now cost over $100,000 a year. These are the 35 most expensive schools in the US, ranked.

The University of Chicago has the highest tuition and fees at $79,395 for the 2026-27 academic year. janniswerner/Getty Images The cost of a college education can often deter prospective students. The annual cost of attending some private colleges and universities has surpassed six figures. Harvey Mudd College is the most expensive US college in 2026, costing $102,312 a year to attend. College can be a life-changing choice — and a lifelong investment. When deciding where to apply to college , students have to contend with a factor beyond the prospect of education and careers: the sometimes astronomical cost of college tuition. Today, over 42.8 million Americans owe a balance on their student loans , and the outstanding federal student loan balance totals nearly $1.7 trillion, according to the Education Data Initiative .