Yahoo Finance How Much Private College Costs in Every State
College isn’t cheap — especially at private schools.
The average cost of tuition at a private nonprofit four-year institution is $38,800 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In comparison, tuition at a public four-year institution averages $9,700 per year.
While they have a high price tag, private schools can offer a number of benefits, including a specialized focus in a certain field, research opportunities and prestige. Given this, it likely comes as no surprise that all eight Ivy League colleges are private.
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If you — or your child — have your heart set on a private education, you may be relieved to know average tuition is much cheaper in some states than others. College applications can be time-consuming to complete and come with expensive processing fees, so it’s wise to conduct research to narrow down your search ahead of time.
No matter where you’re at in your educational journey, it’s never too early to start preparing financially for a private college. This will help you know exactly how much you should be saving each month, while also allowing you to potentially rule out certain schools that are out of your budget — at least without a substantial financial aid package.
GOBankingRates recently conducted a study on the cost of private colleges across the U.S. Here’s a breakdown of the average yearly cost, along with the most and least expensive private colleges in each state.
Alabama
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $27,099.14
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $27,966.09
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.20%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Spring Hill College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $55,930
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Selma University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $14,335
Alaska
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $27,774.07
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $28,361.63
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 2.12%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Alaska Pacific University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $29,090
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Alaska Bible College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $15,150
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Arizona
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $22,652.22
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $22,862.16
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 0.93%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Prescott Campus
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $50,038
Least expensive private 4-year school name: International Baptist College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $18,450
Arkansas
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $32,387.74
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $33,613.93
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.79%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Hendrix College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $60,060
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Arkansas Baptist College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $17,586
California
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $51,782.91
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $53,679.66
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.66%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Scripps College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $77,696
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Northwestern Polytechnic University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $17,920
Colorado
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $37,020.11
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $36,877.76
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.38%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Colorado College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $74,256
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Naropa University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $43,128
Connecticut
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $58,573.98
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $58,706.91
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 0.23%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Wesleyan University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,070
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Mitchell College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $47,550
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Delaware
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $27,406.03
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $25,743.09
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -6.07%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Wesley College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $38,620
Least expensive private 4-year school name: N/A
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: N/A
District of Columbia
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $60,830.29
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $61,912.13
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.78%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Georgetown University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,572
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Gallaudet University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $31,192
Florida
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $39,850.12
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $41,843
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 5%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of Miami
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $69,152
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Baptist College of Florida
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $16,312
Georgia
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $42,820.39
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $43,626.49
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.88%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Emory University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $71,570
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Paine College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $22,257
Hawaii
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $32,132.99
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $32,947.66
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 2.54%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Hawaii Pacific University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $48,560
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $13,600
Idaho
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $14,380.38
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $15,179.50
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 5.56%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: College of Idaho
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $43,455
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Brigham Young University-Idaho
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $8,576
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Illinois
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $49,075.84
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $49,783.06
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.44%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of Chicago
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $77,556
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Lincoln Christian University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $21,154
Indiana
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $46,500.34
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $48,210.73
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.68%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of Notre Dame
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $73,683
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Martin University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $23,860
Iowa
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $44,853.64
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $45,381.87
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.18%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Grinnell College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $70,544
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Divine Word College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $17,560
Kansas
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $33,810.97
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $35,339.08
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 4.52%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: MidAmerica Nazarene University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $42,154
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Manhattan Christian College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $25,712
Kentucky
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $36,281.25
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $36,274.51
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.02%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Centre College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $55,470
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Alice Lloyd College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $9,030
Louisiana
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $53,029.03
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $55,526.35
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 4.71%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Tulane University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $75,084
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Louisiana College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $23,146
Maine
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $54,371.11
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $53,955.22
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.76%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Colby College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $74,725
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Husson University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $29,163
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Maryland
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $58,736.75
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $58,133.79
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -1.03%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Johns Hopkins University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $74,310
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Washington Adventist University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $34,416
Massachusetts
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $64,196.57
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $65,783.80
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 2.47%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Amherst College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,800
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Boston Baptist College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $19,600
Michigan
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $39,789.10
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $41,789.62
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 5.03%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Albion College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $63,155
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Great Lakes Christian College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $26,020
Minnesota
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $45,198.02
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $45,775.08
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.28%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Carleton College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $74,499
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Martin Luther College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $22,900
Mississippi
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $27,218.92
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $28,263.28
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.84%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Millsaps College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $55,524
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Rust College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $14,200
Missouri
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $37,082.59
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $38,797.64
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 4.62%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Washington University in St. Louis
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $74,788
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Calvary University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $16,656
Montana
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $41,540.57
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $41,908.09
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 0.88%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Carroll College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $47,524
Least expensive private 4-year school name: University of Great Falls
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $36,708
Nebraska
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $35,110.23
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $34,984.07
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.36%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Creighton University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $54,618
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Bellevue University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $18,510
Nevada
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $40,471.30
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $40,240.62
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.57%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Sierra Nevada
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $49,333
Least expensive private 4-year school name: N/A
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: N/A
New Hampshire
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $47,516.51
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $29,103.05
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -38.75%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Dartmouth College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $77,131
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Southern New Hampshire University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $22,780
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New Jersey
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $52,628.35
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $52,441.73
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.35%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Stevens Institute of Technology
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $72,196
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Bloomfield College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $43,330
New Mexico
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $36,962.22
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $36,770.30
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.52%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of the Southwest
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $24,570
Least expensive private 4-year school name: St. John’s College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $49,270
New York
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $56,958.05
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $58,423.20
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 2.57%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Columbia University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,920
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $11,200
North Carolina
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $47,992.29
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $49,893.36
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.96%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Duke University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,270
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Piedmont International University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $19,900
North Dakota
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $23,712.06
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $24,623.63
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.84%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of Jamestown
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $31,814
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Trinity Bible College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $23,204
Ohio
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $45,849.96
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $7,535.34
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.68%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Oberlin College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $75,888
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Allegheny Wesleyan College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $10,400
Oklahoma
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $39,275.29
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $39,822.33
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.39%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of Tulsa
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $57,117
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Randall University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $22,700
Oregon
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $55,132.39
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $58,710.99
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 6.49%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Reed College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $75,600
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Gutenberg College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $19,650
Pennsylvania
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $56,762.66
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $58,356.19
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 2.81%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: University of Pennsylvania
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,826
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Keystone College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $28,900
Rhode Island
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $59,332.40
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $61,692.19
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.98%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Brown University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $76,504
Least expensive private 4-year school name: New England Institute of Technology
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $46,050
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South Carolina
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $36,234.52
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $37,629.37
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.85%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Furman University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $65,454
Least expensive private 4-year school name: W.L. Bonner Bible College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $11,444
South Dakota
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $33,605.52
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $35,229.35
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 4.83%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Augustana University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $44,500
Least expensive private 4-year school name: University of Sioux Falls
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $27,220
Tennessee
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $39,729.82
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $41,410.90
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 4.23%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Vanderbilt University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $71,828
Least expensive private 4-year school name: LeMoyne-Owen College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $17,296
Texas
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $48,030.94
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $49,883.57
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.86%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Southern Methodist University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $75,650
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Southwestern Christian College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $14,406
Utah
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $15,706.09
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $15,910.78
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.30%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Westminster College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $47,568
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Brigham Young University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $13,736
Vermont
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $61,021.48
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $63,371.09
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.85%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Bennington College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $75,539
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Goddard College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $18,836
Virginia
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $34,747.24
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $35,403.53
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 1.89%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Washington and Lee University
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $73,095
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Virginia University of Lynchburg
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $18,400
Washington
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $52,332.50
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $54,046.79
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 3.28%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Whitman College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $69,768
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Bastyr University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $35,370
West Virginia
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $22,446.16
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $22,303.11
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: -0.64%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Bethany College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $42,760
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Appalachian Bible College
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $23,362
Wisconsin
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: $46,779.62
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: $47,063.21
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: 0.61%
Most expensive private 4-year school name: Beloit College
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: $63,036
Least expensive private 4-year school name: Maranatha Baptist University
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: $23,960
Wyoming
Private 4-year college 2019-2020 total: N/A
Private 4-year college 2020-2021 total: N/A
Private 4-year year-over-year change from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021: N/A
Most expensive private 4-year school name: N/A
Most expensive private 4-year school cost total: N/A
Least expensive private 4-year school name: N/A
Least expensive private 4-year school cost total: N/A
Methodology: To determine how much college costs in every state, GOBankingRates found various factors to establish the average costs, the most expensive schools and the least expensive schools. The average cost of in-state, out-of-state, public colleges and private colleges for each state were sourced from the Institute of Education Sciences, at the National Center for Education Statistics. Using this data, GOBankingRates was able to calculate a year-over-year change in costs. To find the most and least expensive public and private schools, GOBankingRates used tuition and fees information from the Chronicle of Higher Education to determine each state’s most expensive in-state public school, most expensive private school, the least expensive public school and the least expensive private school — as well as the costs associated with each school in each state. To qualify for the list, all the data points must be present. All data was collected and is up to date as of Aug, 28, 2023.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Private College Costs in Every State
