Colleges and universities are differentiated by size, location, athletic prowess and academic reputation. They also vary considerably in cost, especially between public and private schools.
| Most Expensive Private College Tuition Per Year in the United States in 2016 | |
| 1. Vassar College; Poughkeepsie, NY | $51,300 |
| 2. Sarah Lawrence College; Bronxville, NY | $51,034 |
| 3. Trinity College; Hartford, CT | $50,776 |
| 4. Tufts University; Medford, MA | $50,604 |
| 5. Oberlln College: Oberlin, OH | $50,586 |
| Most Expensive Public College Tuition Per Year (state residents) in the United States in 2016 | |
| 1. University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA | $17,772 |
| 2. College of William & Mary; Williamsburg, VA | $17,656 |
| 3. Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA | $17,502 |
| 4. Maine Maritime Academy; Castine, ME | $17,120 |
| 5. Colorado School of Mines; Golden, CO | $16,918 |