With the surge in inflation, the total cost of attending certain universities in the United States has for the first time reached or exceeded $100,000 this year.
According to a report by CNBC on Tuesday, despite the staggering tuition fees, very few families actually pay the full amount. Based on the annual report “How America Pays for College 2025” by student loan company Sallie Mae, the average actual out-of-pocket cost for families for the 2024-25 academic year is around $31,000.
Sallie Mae’s survey indicates that in most cases, parents’ income and savings cover about half of the college expenses; scholarships and grants cover over a quarter, with the rest primarily coming from student loans.
Chris Ebeling, Director of Student Loans at Citizens Bank, stated: “You really need a diversified plan, not just savings, not just debt.”
Robert Franek, Editor-in-Chief of Princeton Review, pointed out that when applying for financial aid, there are “different funding sources to choose from.” In addition to federal aid provided by the U.S. Department of Education and state assistance, many schools also offer their own scholarships and grants.
Therefore, based on the generosity of each school’s financial aid and student satisfaction with scholarship programs, Princeton Review has published the 2026 edition of the “Best Colleges” guide, ranking them according to the overall cost for the upcoming academic year based on a survey of 170,000 students for the 2024-25 school year.
Franek stated that colleges ranking high on the Princeton Review list not only provide financial assistance but also actively address concerns about affordability.
He said: “These schools understand the pain point that families commonly face, which is: costs, costs, and more costs.”
For example, for the 2025-26 academic year, Amherst College has a total cost of $93,090 (including tuition, fees, and housing), but with an average need-based scholarship of $71,342, the actual cost paid by families is reduced to $21,748. Some schools on the list have even lower out-of-pocket costs.
1. Washington and Lee University
Location: 204 W Washington St, Lexington, VA 24450
Total Cost: $86,730
Average Scholarship: $67,220
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $19,510
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
2. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
Location: 1000 Olin Way, Needham, MA 02492
Total Cost: $84,278
Average Scholarship: $56,968
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $27,310
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 99%
3. Washington University in St. Louis
Location: 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO 63130
Total Cost: $92,932
Average Scholarship: $70,607
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $22,325
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
4. Princeton University
Location: Princeton, NJ 08544
Total Cost: $86,668
Average Scholarship: $73,711
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $12,957
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
5. Reed College
Location: 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
Total Cost: $89,843
Average Scholarship: $52,382
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $37,461
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
6. Amherst College
Location: Amherst, MA 01002
Total Cost: $93,090
Average Scholarship: $71,342
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $21,748
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
7. Lafayette College
Location: 730 High St, Easton, PA 18042
Total Cost: $87,318
Average Scholarship: $49,603
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $37,715
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
8. Columbia University
Location: 116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Total Cost: $89,425
Average Scholarship: $73,702
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $15,723
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
9. Rice University
Location: 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
Total Cost: $87,047
Average Scholarship: $66,070
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $20,977
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 100%
10. Gettysburg College
Location: 300 N Washington St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Total Cost: $85,640
Average Scholarship: $48,573
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $37,067
Freshman Aid Satisfaction Rate: 90%