Top 10 Most Expensive Private Business Schools in America

1. Harvard University (MA): $56,204

The Harvard University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Massachusetts, United States. It is the first corporation chartered in the country. The history, influence, and wealth of this most expensive private business schools have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

2. Columbia University (NY): $55,588

The Columbia University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Manhattan, New York City. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York. This most expensive private business schools operate seven Columbia Global Centers overseas in Amman, Beijing, Istanbul, Paris, Mumbai, Santiago, and Nairobi.

3. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton): $54,009

The University of Pennsylavania is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies. This most expensive private business schools is also one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities.

4. Stanford University (CA): $53,118

The Stanford University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in California, United States. It is situated in the northwestern Santra Clara Valley on the San Fransisco Peninsula. This most expensive private business schools is widely considered one of the most prestigious and selective universities in the world.

5. Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) (PA): $52,500

The Carnegie Mellon University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Its students come from all 50 U.S states and 93 countries. This most expensive private business schools also consistently ranks among the top 25 universities in the world.

6. University of Chicago (Booth): $51,660

The University of Chicago is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller. This most expensive private business schools have its reputation of devotion to academic scholarship.

7. Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL): $51,663

The Northwestern University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. This most expensive private business schools has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees.

8. Dartmouth College (Tuck) (NH): $51,000

The Dartmouth College is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in New Hampshire, United States. It comprises a liberal arts college. This most expensive private business schools in America is also the smallest school in the Ivy League.

9. Yale University (CT): $51,000

The Yale University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in Connecticut. It is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. This most expensive private business schools in America is ranked among the top universities in the world.

10. Cornell University (Johnson) (NY): $50,992

The Cornell University is one of the most expensive private business schools in America, located in New York. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions. This most expensive private business schools in America was intended to teach and make contributions in all fields of knowledge.

In Pictures: The World's Most Expensive Universities

Mexico/South America

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico
Current annual tuition and fees: 122,000 pesos ($11,210 USD)

Many publicly funded universities, such as the National Autonomous University of Mexico, charge only nominal fees. At the other end of the spectrum are a handful of prestigious private universities, such as Universidad Iberoamericana and Universidad Anáhuac. One of Mexico’s most respected--and expensive--universities is Tecnológico de Monterrey, a private university system founded in 1943 by Mexican businessmen.

Shanghai International Studies University

Shanghai International Studies University [ifeng.com]

Tuition: 86,219 yuan for four years

Shanghai International Studies University was founded in December 1949 as the former Shanghai Russian College. It became a national key university approved by the State Council in 1963 and is now a research, teaching and multidisciplinary university. It is also one of the top universities that specialize in foreign languages in China.

Top 10 Most Expensive Universities in the US

The average American makes $25,000 per year.

The average annual price for tuition and fees at a private, four-year college is $27,293 according to the College Board.

Top 10: Highest annual tuition, fees, room and board for 2010-11, and percentage increase from previous year: (Source)

1. Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, N.Y.: $57,384, a 2.9% increase.
2. Landmark College, Putney, Vt.: $56,500, up 4.8%.
3. Columbia University School of General Studies, New York: $54,782, up 5.5%.
4. Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.: $53,976, up 4.9%
5. Columbia University, New York: $53,874, up 4.5%.
6. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore: $53,690, up 3.9%.
7. Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.: $53,591, up 2.7%.
8. New York University, New York: $53,589, up 3.1%.
9. Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, Calif.: $53,588, up 4.8%.
10. Barnard College, New York: $53,496, up 5%.

Yet, according to a poll by Twentysomething, Inc., 85% of 2011 college graduates will move home–up from 67% in 2006.

What’s the Value of a University Degree?

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Top 10: Highest tuition and fees for 2010-11, and percentage increase from previous year:

1. Landmark College, Putney, Vt.: $48,000, up 4.8%.
2. Connecticut College, New London, Conn.: $43,900, up 3.9%.
3. Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, N.Y.: $43,564, up 3.8%.
4. Columbia University, New York: $43,304, up 4.8%.
5. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: $43,190, up 3%.
6. George Washington University, Washington, D.C.: $42,905, up 3%.
7. Wesleyan University, Middleton, Conn.: $42,384, up 4.9%.
8. Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.: $42,370, up 3.7%.
9. Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa.: $42,342, up 3.7%.
10. St. John’s College, Annapolis, Md. and Santa Fe, N.M.: $42,192, up 4.5%.

Data: Chronicle of Higher Education’s analysis of data released by the College Board.

According to USA Today: “Student loan debt exceeds credit card debt in USA“. Federal aid to for-profit colleges has jumped to $26.5 billion in 2009 from $4.6 billion in 2000, according to the US Department of Education. (Source: Business Week)

The World's Most Expensive Universities

United StatesKenyon CollegeGambier, OhioCurrent annual tuition and fees: $38,140With 176 faculty members and just 1,600 students, Kenyon has a faculty-to-student ratio of about nine to one, and class sizes are usually less than 15 people--so students get some bang for their buck. About 70% of Kenyon's students receive some type of financial assistance. Founded in 1824, this liberal arts school is the oldest private college or university in Ohio. Famous alums include U.S. PresidentRutherford B. Hayes, author E.L. Doctorow and actor Paul Newman.

United StatesGeorge Washington UniversityWashington, D.C.Current annual tuition and fees: $39,240It’s the most expensive four-year university in the United States--and most likely the world.Located just blocks from the White House and State Department, GW does have a front-row view of the nation’s power centers; it’s also about $3,300 more per year than cross-town rival Georgetown University, the next priciest school in Washington. GW officials point out that the school offers more need-based financial aid than any other university in the country.

United StatesSarah Lawrence CollegeBronxville, N.Y.2007-2008 tuition: $38,090Nearly 1,400 undergrads--about 75% of them women--attend Sarah Lawrence College, just north of New York City. The student-faculty ratio is just 6:1. Good news for those who don't test well: Sarah Lawrence doesn't consider SAT scores in its admissions process. Financial aid is strictly need-based, with about 52% of the student population receiving some type of assistance. The average aid package: $28,720.

CanadaQuest University CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaCurrent annual tuition: $24,000 CAD ($23,420 USD)Located about an hour north of Vancouver, this private, non-denominational liberal arts college just opened in September 2007. Quest offers just one degree--a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences--and its 80 students take just one course at a time, in 18-day “blocks.” Private universities are relatively scarce in Canada. The most expensive public school is Acadia University in Nova Scotia, with an annual tuition of $8,062 CAD ($7,866 USD) for most Canadian students. (Residents of Nova Scotia get $500 off.

United StatesVassar CollegePoughkeepsie, N.Y.2007-2008 tuition and fees: $38,115One of the "Seven Sisters" (historically all-women's liberal arts colleges in the Northeast), Vassar today is co-ed, highly selective and very expensive. With about 2,400 students, its student-faculty ratio is just nine to one. Nearly 100% of its student population lives on campus. Before graduating, Vassar students arerequired to be proficient in at least one foreign language. About 60% of its students receive need-based financial aid.

Continental EuropeAmerican University of ParisCurrent annual tuition: 23,784 euros ($34,725 USD)Most universities in Europe are heavily subsidized by national governments, with extraordinarily low tuition or none at all. A 2007 study by the U.S. government Accountability Office found that Italy had the highest average annual tuition fees--just $983 for public universities--among E.U. nations in 2003-2004, the most recent years surveyed. But the continent is speckled with private schools. One of the priciest is the American University of Paris, a 46-year-old liberal arts university that’s just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower.

United StatesBucknell UniversityLewisburg, Pa.2007-2008 undergraduate tuition and fees: $38,134With 3,400 undergraduates, Bucknell claims to be the nation's largest private liberal arts university. It offers 60 majors, and about 40% of recent graduating classes have studied abroad. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Bucknell's tuition rose nearly 6% last year--about the same as other high-priced U.S. universities. Bucknell suggests that students budget about $50,000 per year for tuition, room and board and books.

Middle EastAmerican University of SharjahUnited Arab EmiratesCurrent annual tuition and fees: 61,600 UAE dirhams ($16,770 USD)Just as American universities are the world’s most expensive, private American-style universities in other parts of the world also charge top-dollar. One such is the American University of Sharjah, founded in 1997. It’s a sign of globalization in the Persian Gulf region. AUS has colleges of business, architecture, engineering and arts and sciences. All courses are taught in English, though the university says that it is “thoroughly grounded in Arab culture.”

AustraliaBond UniversityGold Coast, Queensland, AustraliaCurrent annual tuition and fees: $37,440 AUD ($32,900 USD)The vast majority of Australian universities are publicly funded. One of the rare exceptions is also one of the most expensive: Bond University, a private, non-profit institution that opened its doors in 1989. Located in Australia ‘s booming Gold Coast region, Bond offers Aussie students small class sizes and an unusually diverse student body, about half of which is made up of foreign students.

Mexico/South AmericaInstituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, MexicoCurrent annual tuition and fees: 122,000 pesos ($11,210 USD)Many publicly funded universities, such as the National Autonomous University of Mexico, charge only nominal fees. At the other end of the spectrum are a handful of prestigious private universities, such as Universidad Iberoamericana and Universidad Anáhuac. One of Mexico’s most respected--and expensive--universities is Tecnológico de Monterrey, a private university system founded in 1943 by Mexican businessmen.

AsiaAoyama Gakuin UniversityTokyo, JapanCurrent annual tuition and fees: 1.25 million to 1.73 million yen ($11,700 to $16,100 USD)Some of Japan’s best undergraduate programs are found at national universities, such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, which charge about 800,000 yen ($7,500) a year. Top-rated private universities, such as Waseda University and Keio University, charge more. Tuition fees vary based on major. One of the priciest is the collegiate arm of Aoyama Gakuin, a private educational institute founded in 1874 by Methodist Episcopal missionaries.

United KingdomUniversity of BuckinghamEngland, U.K.Current annual tuition: 7,770 pounds ($15,195 USD) averageStudent contributions toward tuition in the U.K. are capped at 3,070 pounds (about $6,000 USD)--but not for the University of Buckingham, the only fully private university in the country. Degree programs are condensed into two years, with the second year being slightly more expensive for British students. All told, a Buckingham education costs 15,500 pounds ($30,400 USD) for Brits, 27,000 pounds ($52,800) for international students.

Communication University of China

Communication University of China [cuc.edu.cn]

Tuition: 75,588 yuan for four years

Based in Beijing, the Communication University of China was formerly known as the Beijing Broadcasting Institute. As the highest institute of radio, film and television education in China, it is the mecca for students who have a passion for a career as a host.

Since it was founded more than 50 years ago, the Communication University of China has trained numerous high-level personnel in the Chinese media and made a significant contribution to the nation's media industry and economy. Thus, it has gained a reputation of being the cradle of the nation's broadcasting and television talents.

Where You Can Find the Most Expensive Colleges and Universities

There are a lot of expensive colleges and universities in this country, but as I’ve mentioned many times before on my college blog, the sticker price is meaningless.

The only figure that matters is the college’s net price. This is the price you get after any grants (free money) that you receive from a school are subtracted from the sticker price.

The vast majority of schools in this country discount their price. And you certainly don’t have to be an “A” student to qualify! At private colleges and universities, for instance, about 88% of students have received some type of grant.

You can start doing your own research on colleges and their net prices by visiting the College Affordability and Transparency Center, which the U.S. Department of Education launched last year.

On the site you can research the financial aid practices of individual schools by checking out average net prices in different income ranges, as well other valuable information such as a school’s graduation rates, freshmen retention rates and college major offerings. To get start just hit the button on the site that looks like this:

Skidmore, Union, RPI among nation's most expensive

Union says 64 percent of its students get financial aid.

So reports the web site College Grotto, which released its annual list of the most expensive colleges and universities (it also ranked the schools just by tuition). As in years past, a handful of local and regional schools are on the list. First, the locals:

5. Skidmore College - $51,196

35. Union College - $49,983

62. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - $49,245

We did a similar cost comparison for local schools back in April and got somewhat different numbers.

And as we noted back then, a lot of the students that attend these schools don't actually pay full price. For example, Union says that 64 percent of its students get financial aid -- and the average individual total aid award is $25,400.

A list of schools a little farther out from the Capital Region that made the top 100 is after the jump.

(Thanks, James!)

13. Colgate University - $50,660

18. Mount Holyoke College - $50,390

19. Bard College - $50,380

22. Bard College at Simon's Rock - $50,340

31. Smith College - $50,132

40. Bennington College - $49,830

48. Williams College - $49,640

55. Hamilton College - $49,470

78. Amherst College $48,400

Most Expensive Universities in California

If you’re studying in any of these five universities in California, then you must be one filthy rich stud. But you certainly need more than cheap college text books to get through your classes and come out of them in one piece, since not only these universities share the pedestal of being the most expensive universities in the state in terms of annual tuition fee but they are also notable in terms of their academic and social contributions.

According to data provided by CNN Money’s College Cost Finder, here are the five most expensive universities in the State of California.

1. University of Southern California

Located in Los Angeles, CA, the University of Southern California has an annual tuition fee of $35,212. On top of that, room and boarding would cost as much as $10,858 and internal fees could cost up to $718.

2. Stanford University

Stanford University in Stanford, CA, has an annual tuition fee of up to $34,800, with room and boarding fee costing up to 10,808.

3. Santa Clara University

Studying at Santa Clara University would require you to prepare at least $33,000 for the annual tuition fee. This does not include the $10,644 fee for your room and boarding.

4. University of San Diego

The University of San Diego is the 4th most expensive university in California with at least  $32,300 annual tuition fee. Other fees might reach up to $264 while board and lodging cost $10,960.

5. Chapman University

Located in Orange, CA, Chapman University has an annual tuition fee of $31,700, $908 internal fees, and up to $11,880 for room and boarding.