Several New England universities and colleges have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall.
Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to the schools’ websites.
The nearly six-figure sums reflect the rising cost of higher education, far outstripping the average inflation for other goods and services.
For the 2024-2025 school year, Tufts’ estimates of expenses for undergraduate programs reaches nearly $96,000, trumping Wellesley — which comes in at about $92,000.
Wellesley’s comprehensive undergraduate fee is an increase of 4.7% from the current year of $88,200, which “reflects the increasing costs of providing a Wellesley education,” university spokesperson Stacey Schmeidel told CNN Wednesday. The total fees including health insurance will boost the cost up to $92,060, Schmeidel added.
In contrast, the Consumer Price Index — a widely used measure of inflation — rose 3.2% in the 12 months ended in February.
Schmeidel said very few Wellesley students pay the total fee, adding nearly 60% of its students receive financial aid and the average financial aid award is $67,469.
“We are committed to making a Wellesley education affordable, and we meet the full calculated financial need for every student who enrolls at the College,” Schmeidel said.
