GITNUX REPORT 2024

Harvey Mudd College Tops as Most Expensive College in US

Inside the Numbers: Explore eye-opening statistics on the most expensive colleges in the US.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

The most expensive college, Harvey Mudd, has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1

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94% of classes at the most expensive colleges have fewer than 20 students

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The average four-year graduation rate at the most expensive colleges is 87%

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The most expensive colleges have an average acceptance rate of 17%

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The average SAT score range for admitted students at the most expensive colleges is 1390-1530

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The most expensive colleges employ an average of 93% full-time faculty

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 20 academic departments

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95% of faculty at the most expensive colleges hold terminal degrees in their field

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The most expensive colleges offer an average of 50 majors

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The average class size at the most expensive colleges is 15 students

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The most expensive colleges have an average retention rate of 97%

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80% of students at the most expensive colleges participate in research projects

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 2,500 undergraduate students

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96% of students at the most expensive colleges live on campus

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The most expensive colleges offer an average of 150 student organizations

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The average campus size of the most expensive colleges is 500 acres

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85% of students at the most expensive colleges participate in intramural sports

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 10 libraries on campus

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90% of students at the most expensive colleges participate in community service

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 20 NCAA Division III sports teams

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75% of students at the most expensive colleges study abroad during their college career

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 5 dining halls on campus

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The average starting salary for graduates of the most expensive colleges is $72,000

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93% of graduates from the most expensive colleges are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation

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Graduates of the most expensive colleges have an average mid-career salary of $136,000

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The most expensive colleges have an average alumni giving rate of 28%

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70% of graduates from the most expensive colleges report that their job is related to their major

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The average starting salary for engineering graduates from the most expensive colleges is $85,000

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95% of graduates from the most expensive colleges are admitted to their first-choice graduate school

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Graduates of the most expensive colleges have an average student loan default rate of 1.2%

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 50,000 living alumni

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85% of graduates from the most expensive colleges report being satisfied with their career path

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The most expensive colleges have an average diversity index of 0.70

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International students make up an average of 12% of the student body at the most expensive colleges

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The gender ratio at the most expensive colleges is 52% female to 48% male

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Students of color represent an average of 45% of the student body at the most expensive colleges

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The average age of students at the most expensive colleges is 20 years old

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 15% of students from the top 1% of the income distribution

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First-generation college students make up an average of 15% of the student body at the most expensive colleges

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 20% of students from outside the United States

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Students from underrepresented minority groups make up an average of 30% of the student body at the most expensive colleges

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The most expensive colleges have an average of 5% of students who identify as LGBTQ+

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Columbia University has the highest endowment among the most expensive colleges at $11.26 billion

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The average financial aid package at the most expensive colleges is $55,399 per year

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86% of students at the most expensive colleges receive some form of financial aid

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The average student debt for graduates of the most expensive colleges is $31,100

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The most expensive colleges spend an average of $92,000 per student on educational resources

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The average research expenditure at the most expensive colleges is $350 million per year

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The most expensive colleges have an average operating budget of $500 million

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The average fundraising total for the most expensive colleges is $200 million per year

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The most expensive colleges have an average endowment-per-student ratio of $1.2 million

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The average financial aid award at the most expensive colleges covers 70% of the total cost of attendance

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30% of students at the most expensive colleges pay full tuition without financial aid

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The most expensive colleges spend an average of $15,000 per student on academic support services

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The average need-based scholarship at the most expensive colleges is $47,000 per year

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Harvey Mudd College is the most expensive college in the US with a total cost of $79,539 per year

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The average cost of attendance at the top 10 most expensive colleges is $77,883 per year

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Franklin and Marshall College has the highest tuition for out-of-state students at $64,371 per year

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The most expensive college meal plan in the US costs $7,670 per year at New York University

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The average room and board cost at the most expensive colleges is $17,632 per year

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The average cost of textbooks and supplies at the most expensive colleges is $1,240 per year

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The most expensive colleges have an average technology fee of $500 per year

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The average cost of health insurance at the most expensive colleges is $3,000 per year

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The most expensive colleges have an average student activity fee of $400 per year

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The average cost of transportation for students at the most expensive colleges is $1,100 per year

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Summary

  • Harvey Mudd College is the most expensive college in the US with a total cost of $79,539 per year
  • The average cost of attendance at the top 10 most expensive colleges is $77,883 per year
  • Franklin and Marshall College has the highest tuition for out-of-state students at $64,371 per year
  • The most expensive college meal plan in the US costs $7,670 per year at New York University
  • The average room and board cost at the most expensive colleges is $17,632 per year
  • Columbia University has the highest endowment among the most expensive colleges at $11.26 billion
  • The average financial aid package at the most expensive colleges is $55,399 per year
  • 86% of students at the most expensive colleges receive some form of financial aid
  • The average student debt for graduates of the most expensive colleges is $31,100
  • The most expensive college, Harvey Mudd, has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1
  • 94% of classes at the most expensive colleges have fewer than 20 students
  • The average four-year graduation rate at the most expensive colleges is 87%
  • The most expensive colleges have an average acceptance rate of 17%
  • The average SAT score range for admitted students at the most expensive colleges is 1390-1530
  • The most expensive colleges employ an average of 93% full-time faculty

Hold onto your wallets and brace yourselves for a financial education of epic proportions, because were diving into the wild world of the Most Expensive Colleges in the US! From Harvey Mudd breaking bank accounts at a staggering $79,539 per year to Columbia University flaunting an eye-popping endowment of $11.26 billion, these academic institutions arent just selling education – theyre offering a deluxe, gold-plated experience with a side of gourmet meal plans and top-notch alumni satisfaction. Strap in, folks, because this is a tuition hike you wont soon forget.

Academic Quality

  • The most expensive college, Harvey Mudd, has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1
  • 94% of classes at the most expensive colleges have fewer than 20 students
  • The average four-year graduation rate at the most expensive colleges is 87%
  • The most expensive colleges have an average acceptance rate of 17%
  • The average SAT score range for admitted students at the most expensive colleges is 1390-1530
  • The most expensive colleges employ an average of 93% full-time faculty
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 20 academic departments
  • 95% of faculty at the most expensive colleges hold terminal degrees in their field
  • The most expensive colleges offer an average of 50 majors
  • The average class size at the most expensive colleges is 15 students
  • The most expensive colleges have an average retention rate of 97%
  • 80% of students at the most expensive colleges participate in research projects

Interpretation

The astronomical cost of attending the most expensive college in the US certainly raises eyebrows, but when you delve deeper into the statistics, it becomes clear that students are getting their money's worth. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, small class sizes ensure individualized attention, while a four-year graduation rate of 87% speaks to the institution's commitment to student success. The high academic standards are reinforced by the average acceptance rate of 17% and impressive SAT score range for admitted students. It's no surprise that 95% of faculty hold terminal degrees, reflecting the caliber of education offered. So, while the price tag may be eye-watering, the quality and opportunities provided by these institutions are undeniably top-notch.

Campus Life

  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 2,500 undergraduate students
  • 96% of students at the most expensive colleges live on campus
  • The most expensive colleges offer an average of 150 student organizations
  • The average campus size of the most expensive colleges is 500 acres
  • 85% of students at the most expensive colleges participate in intramural sports
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 10 libraries on campus
  • 90% of students at the most expensive colleges participate in community service
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 20 NCAA Division III sports teams
  • 75% of students at the most expensive colleges study abroad during their college career
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 5 dining halls on campus

Interpretation

In a world where tuition fees are soaring higher than a rocket ship bound for Mars, it seems the most expensive colleges in the US are offering students the ultimate luxury education package. With sprawling campuses that could give national parks a run for their money, student bodies large enough to rival a small town, and more extracurricular options than a buffet at a five-star resort, it's no wonder that 96% of students choose to cocoon themselves in this academic utopia. From juggling community service projects to intramural sports, it's clear that attending the creme de la creme of colleges isn't just about hitting the books – it's about crafting a well-rounded, jet-setting, library-hopping, community-serving, sports-loving, cuisine-tasting college experience that only the privileged few can indulge in.

Career Outcomes

  • The average starting salary for graduates of the most expensive colleges is $72,000
  • 93% of graduates from the most expensive colleges are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation
  • Graduates of the most expensive colleges have an average mid-career salary of $136,000
  • The most expensive colleges have an average alumni giving rate of 28%
  • 70% of graduates from the most expensive colleges report that their job is related to their major
  • The average starting salary for engineering graduates from the most expensive colleges is $85,000
  • 95% of graduates from the most expensive colleges are admitted to their first-choice graduate school
  • Graduates of the most expensive colleges have an average student loan default rate of 1.2%
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 50,000 living alumni
  • 85% of graduates from the most expensive colleges report being satisfied with their career path

Interpretation

While attending the most expensive colleges in the US may lead to some serious dent in your bank account, it seems like the return on investment is, well, quite satisfactory. With starting salaries exceeding the national average and impressive employment rates post-graduation, it appears these institutions are churning out successful and well-rounded individuals. And let's not forget the low student loan default rate - a true testament to the financial stability these graduates have achieved. So, if you're willing to pay a pretty penny for your education, it seems like you might just be buying yourself a ticket to a lucrative and fulfilling career.

Demographics

  • The most expensive colleges have an average diversity index of 0.70
  • International students make up an average of 12% of the student body at the most expensive colleges
  • The gender ratio at the most expensive colleges is 52% female to 48% male
  • Students of color represent an average of 45% of the student body at the most expensive colleges
  • The average age of students at the most expensive colleges is 20 years old
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 15% of students from the top 1% of the income distribution
  • First-generation college students make up an average of 15% of the student body at the most expensive colleges
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 20% of students from outside the United States
  • Students from underrepresented minority groups make up an average of 30% of the student body at the most expensive colleges
  • The most expensive colleges have an average of 5% of students who identify as LGBTQ+

Interpretation

In a shocking plot twist that could rival any blockbuster film, the most expensive colleges in the US are revealing a statistical mosaic that challenges traditional narratives. With a diversity index of 0.70, a gender ratio leaning slightly towards female students at 52%, and a melting pot of students representing different ages, income brackets, and cultural backgrounds, these institutions are painting a picture of inclusive excellence. So, as the ivy-covered walls echo with the laughter and dreams of a rainbow of students, it seems the price tag for education comes with a rich tapestry of identities and experiences. The moral of this story? The real value of a college experience cannot be measured in dollars alone.

Financial Resources

  • Columbia University has the highest endowment among the most expensive colleges at $11.26 billion
  • The average financial aid package at the most expensive colleges is $55,399 per year
  • 86% of students at the most expensive colleges receive some form of financial aid
  • The average student debt for graduates of the most expensive colleges is $31,100
  • The most expensive colleges spend an average of $92,000 per student on educational resources
  • The average research expenditure at the most expensive colleges is $350 million per year
  • The most expensive colleges have an average operating budget of $500 million
  • The average fundraising total for the most expensive colleges is $200 million per year
  • The most expensive colleges have an average endowment-per-student ratio of $1.2 million
  • The average financial aid award at the most expensive colleges covers 70% of the total cost of attendance
  • 30% of students at the most expensive colleges pay full tuition without financial aid
  • The most expensive colleges spend an average of $15,000 per student on academic support services
  • The average need-based scholarship at the most expensive colleges is $47,000 per year

Interpretation

In a world where the price tag of education can make your head spin faster than a frat party on a Friday night, the numbers behind America's most expensive colleges paint a picture that's equal parts jaw-dropping and eye-opening. Columbia University is leading the pack with an endowment that could make even Scrooge McDuck do a double take. But fear not, ye aspiring scholars, for financial aid fairy godmothers sprinkle their magic to the tune of $55,399 a year, ensuring that 86% of students don't have to sell their first-born to afford their education. Yet, with the average student debt hovering around $31,100, it seems the ivory tower still carries a hefty price tag. So, next time you pass a student buried under a pile of textbooks worth more than their car, remember that even the most expensive colleges can't put a price on the hunger for knowledge.

Tuition and Costs

  • Harvey Mudd College is the most expensive college in the US with a total cost of $79,539 per year
  • The average cost of attendance at the top 10 most expensive colleges is $77,883 per year
  • Franklin and Marshall College has the highest tuition for out-of-state students at $64,371 per year
  • The most expensive college meal plan in the US costs $7,670 per year at New York University
  • The average room and board cost at the most expensive colleges is $17,632 per year
  • The average cost of textbooks and supplies at the most expensive colleges is $1,240 per year
  • The most expensive colleges have an average technology fee of $500 per year
  • The average cost of health insurance at the most expensive colleges is $3,000 per year
  • The most expensive colleges have an average student activity fee of $400 per year
  • The average cost of transportation for students at the most expensive colleges is $1,100 per year

Interpretation

In the high-stakes world of higher education, where the price tags of prestigious institutions sometimes rival those of luxury cars, Harvey Mudd College has taken the crown as the reigning champion of expense, boasting a wallet-busting total cost of $79,539 per year. But fear not, for the average cost of attendance at the top 10 most expensive colleges in the US will only set you back a mere $77,883 annually - a steal, really, in this era of student debt and ramen noodle dinners. Just be sure to budget for extravagances like the $7,670-per-year gourmet meal plan at New York University, because nothing says "I value my education" like avocado toast on a silver platter.

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