15-20 US Colleges Cross $100,000 Annual Cost Mark as Elite Sticker Prices Spread Beyond Boston
Updated
Updated · Bryan Alexander · Aug 10
15-20 US Colleges Cross $100,000 Annual Cost Mark as Elite Sticker Prices Spread Beyond Boston
1 articles · Updated · Bryan Alexander · Aug 10
Summary
Fifteen to 20 U.S. colleges and universities now list annual undergraduate attendance costs above $100,000, up from just two Boston-area schools last year.
Princeton Review data cited in the report identified 15 schools already over the line, led by Harvey Mudd at $104,512, Duke at $103,975 and the University of Chicago at $103,821.
Tufts and Wellesley, which first crossed six figures in 2025, now post totals just under $100,000 after omitting or leaving variable some transportation and health-insurance charges that can still push bills back above the threshold.
The tally reflects published sticker prices rather than what most students pay, since many elite schools use a high-price, high-discount model built on grants, scholarships and aid.
The report says inflation and rising medical costs could pull more campuses into the six-figure group in 2027-2028, while the symbolic $100,000 mark has so far drawn little public backlash.