The most expensive college in the world in 2025 is Pepperdine University in the United States, with a total annual cost of attendance of approximately $93,512 for the 2023-2024 academic year. However, other sources highlight the University of Chicago as extremely costly, with total costs around $89,000 to $92,000 for the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, Vassar College leads in the highest tuition charges specifically, with tuition alone at $73,275 for 2025, excluding other expenses.

Summary of Top Most Expensive U.S. Colleges (approximate total annual

cost):

• Pepperdine University: $93,512
• University of Chicago: $89,000–$92,000
• Vassar College (tuition only): $73,275
• Columbia University: around $86,000 to $89,000
• University of Southern California and others also reach costs near $87,000 to $90,000.

The costs typically include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and personal expenses. Note that some universities have higher tuition but might have lower total cost of attendance depending on living arrangements. Most expensive universities are private institutions in the U.S., while some European and Swiss universities have high tuition plus living costs as well.