In 2025, American universities attract many students from around the world with their high quality education and academic standards. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree from a top university in the United States can open the door to numerous attractive career opportunities. However, the cost of attending top American universities is not cheap, with annual expenses reaching close to six figures.
On Tuesday, September 23, U.S. News & World Report released its ranking of the best universities in America, with Princeton University being recognized as the top university in the country. The total estimated cost for full-time students at Princeton University for the academic year, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses, is $90,730.
Among the top ten ranked universities in the United States, Northwestern University has the lowest annual cost. According to information from Northwestern University’s website, the all-inclusive cost for the 2025-2026 academic year is projected to be $77,516, but students must live with relatives and commute. For students living in on-campus or off-campus apartments, the estimated cost of attendance at Northwestern University for the current academic year is $96,236.
Located just 20 miles south of Northwestern University, the University of Chicago has the highest estimated cost of attendance among the top ten universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report this year, with on-campus students facing an estimated cost of $98,301.
However, not all students are required to pay the full cost of attendance. For example, at Princeton University, 62% of undergraduate students receive financial aid, with the average scholarship amount for the 2025 cohort being $62,200.
According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics in the United States, for the academic year 2022-2023, full-time students at the top ten ranked schools receive an average net cost of attendance after receiving institutional and government aid or scholarships, ranging from $17,900 at Harvard University to $27,979 at the University of Chicago.
The following are the estimated annual cost of attendance for the top ten ranked universities in the United States, as selected by U.S. News & World Report. The universities are listed in order of their ranking, with the number of undergraduate students for the year 2024.
Total estimated cost: $90,730
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $65,210
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $19,881
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 5,709
Total estimated cost: $89,340
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $64,310
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $21,519
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 4,535
Total estimated cost: $90,426 to $95,426
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $59,320
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $17,900
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 6,979
Total estimated cost: $96,513
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $67,731
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $17,998
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 7,554
Total estimated cost: $94,425
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $69,900
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $26,044
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 6,979
Total estimated cost: $85,446 to $98,301
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $71,325
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $27,979
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 7,503
Total estimated cost: $92,849 to $94,217
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $70,265
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $23,422
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 6,442
Total estimated cost: $77,678 to $92,758
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $66,670
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $22,844
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 5,693
Total estimated cost: $77,516 to $96,236
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $69,375
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $23,341
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 9,035
Total estimated cost: $78,730 to $95,612
Estimated Tuition for 2025-2026: $63,204
Average Net Cost for 2022-2023: $26,017
Total Enrollment of Undergraduate Students: 10,013