Ivy League vs Non-Ivy League Tuition Fees

Recognized as some of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the US, Ivy League colleges tend to come at an increased cost to students. This report analyzes how Ivy League tuition + fees compare to those at public and private (non-profit) institutions.

As of the 2022/23 academic year, standard tuition + fees for undergraduate courses at Ivy League colleges range from $57,261 to $66,139 annually.
Over the course of a 4-year degree, Ivy League college tuition + fees could range from $229,044 to $264,556.
Columbia University has the highest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $66,139.
Harvard University has the lowest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $57,261.
In comparison, average tuition + fees for public colleges total $10,200 annually.
This amounts to $40,800 over the course of a 4-year degree.
Average tuition + fees for private non-profit colleges total $34,120 annually.
This amounts to $136,480 over the course of a 4-year degree.

Standard Ivy League undergraduate tuition and fees

As of the 2022/23 academic year, average tuition + fees to study in Ivy League colleges at undergraduate level total $62,190 annually.
This is 6.10 times higher than tuition + fees to study at public colleges on average ($10,200 annually).
It is also 1.82 times higher than tuition + fees to study at private non-profit colleges on average ($34,120 annually).
On average, Ivy League tuition + fees have increased by 9.82% over the given 4-year period.
This amounts to a CAGR of 3.17%
Ivy League tuition + fees are increasing at a higher rate than public colleges (4.62%) and private non-profit colleges (7.23%) on average.

Institution	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	Change
Brown University	$58,404	$60,696	$62,304	$65,146	+11.54%
Columbia University	$61,788	$61,671	$63,530	$66,139	+7.04%
Cornell University	$57,222	$59,282	$61,015	$63,200	+10.45%
Dartmouth College	$57,638	$60,117	$60,870	$62,658	+8.71%
Harvard University	$51,925	$54,002	$55,587	$57,261	+10.28%
Princeton University	$52,800	$48,502	$56,010	$57,410	+8.73%
University of Pennsylvania	$57,770	$60,042	$61,710	$63,452	+9.84%
Yale University	$55,500	$57,700	$59,950	$62,250	+12.16%
Average of public colleges (unweighted)	$9,750	$9,860	$10,020	$10,200	+4.62%
Average of private non-profit colleges (unweighted)	$31,820	$32,410	$33,010	$34,120	+7.23%

(totals are for tuition + associated fees)

A graph is given below to compare average tuition + fees for Ivy League, public and private non-profit colleges:

Brown University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Brown University has the 2nd highest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $65,146.
Brown’s tuition + fees have increased by 11.54% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 3.71%.
This amounts to a total increase of $6,742.

Columbia University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Columbia University has the highest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $66,139.
Columbia’s tuition + fees have increased by 7.04% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 2.29%.
This amounts to a total increase of $4,351.

Cornell University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Cornell University has the fourth highest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $63,200.
Cornell’s tuition + fees have increased by 10.45% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 3.37%.
This amounts to a total increase of $5,978.

Dartmouth University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Dartmouth University has the fourth lowest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $62,658.
Dartmouth’s tuition + fees have increased by 8.71% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 2.82%.
This amounts to a total increase of $5,020.

Harvard University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Harvard University has the lowest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $57,261.
Harvard’s tuition + fees have increased by 10.28% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 3.31%.
This amounts to a total increase of $5,336.

Princeton University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Princeton University has the second lowest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $57,410.
Princeton’s tuition + fees have increased by 8.73% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 2.83%.
This amounts to a total increase of $4,610.

University of Pennsylvania

As of the 2022/23 academic year, The University of Pennsylvania has the third highest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $63,452.
The University of Pennsylvania’s tuition + fees have increased by 9.84% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 3.18%.
This amounts to a total increase of $5,682.

Yale University

As of the 2022/23 academic year, Yale University has the third lowest annual tuition + fees out of Ivy-League colleges at $62,250.
Yale’s tuition + fees have increased by 12.16% over the given period.
In total, tuition + fees increased at a CAGR of 3.9%.
This amounts to a total increase of $6,750.

Ivy League tuition fees FAQ

Do Ivy League colleges offer merit scholarships?

Ivy League colleges do not award merit scholarships to prospective students.
However, students are able to apply for external merit scholarships.
Ivy League colleges also do not offer talent or athletic scholarships.

How do you qualify for free Ivy League tuition?

To qualify for free tuition at Ivy League colleges, students must demonstrate their financial need.
Ivy League colleges are known to offer some of the most generous need-based financial aid programs.
Each Ivy League college makes a commitment to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial needs of its prospective students.

Why is tuition so high for Ivy League?

Ivy League colleges are known to have higher tuition fees than other colleges.
Ivy League colleges are seen as prestigious and have a reputation of providing a higher standard of college education than other institutions.
As Ivy League colleges have a high demand and only a limited number of places, each college has an incentive to increase costs.

Which Ivy League college offers the highest amount of financial aid?

Recent data suggest that Princeton offers the highest amount of need-based financial aid.
Although each Ivy League college will meet 100% of a prospective student’s financial need, Princeton is understood to provide a more generous assessment of each student’s level of need.