What is the most expensive college in America?
Sarah Lawrence College grabs the dishonors this year for having the highest price tag. Sarah Lawrence’s sticker price is $54,410.
What I find most alarming about the price of Sarah Lawrence, however, is that dozens of other colleges and universities are charging nearly as much.
It was just a few years ago when George Washington University, if my memory serves me, was the first school in the nation to break the $50,000 college cost barrier and it triggered quite a bit of consternation in higher-ed circles when it happened. (Today, GWU is ranked NO. 3 in college costs.)
Now, according to an analysis by The Chronicle of Higher Education, 58 private schools are charging at least $50,000 for tuition, fees and room and board. Last year only five schools belonged to the $50,000 club. What’s even more startling is that just six years ago, the college costs for only two schools were priced above $40,000.
As I’ve mentioned many times on my college blog, the published college cost is often meaningless. But even so, these scandalous price are going to eliminate many choices for an increasing number of students.
I am still waiting, however, for the consumer revolt.
Lynn O’Shaughnessy is the author of The College Solution and she also writes a college blog at CBSMoneyWatch.com.