How much does it cost to attend an Ivy League school these days? The answer probably won’t surprise you: a whole lot! But many don’t know that Ivy League schools have some of the most generous financial aid programs in all of higher education. While these schools don’t provide any athletic or merit-based aid, the vast majority of students admitted to Ivies only pay what their family can afford (according to, that is, their school’s calculations!).

2024-2025 Ivy League Costs: Tuition, Room, Board, Fees, and More

Still, it’s essential to understand how much attending one of these highly prestigious schools will set you back. Let’s compare and contrast tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year across the eight Ivies:

	2024-25 Costs (Total)	Tuition	Room	Board	Books	Fees	Misc.	Percent Increase from Last Year
Brown University	$88,948	$65,656	$9,650	$6,948	$1,300	$2,574	$2,820	4.79%
Columbia University	$93,417	$71,170	$17,580 (Room & Board)	$17,580 (Room & Board)	$3992 (including Personal Costs)	$675	N/A	4.28%
Cornell University	$92,150	$68,380	$12,296	$7,132	$1,226	$934	$2,182	4.55%
Dartmouth College	$91,312	$66,123	$12,018	$7,981	$1,005	$2,145	$2,040	3.29%
Harvard University	$86,366	$56,550	$12,922	$8,268	$1,000	$5,126	$2,500	4.12%
Princeton University	$87,750	$62,400	$11,910	$8,340	$1,050	N/A	$4,050	4.42%
University of Pennsylvania	$92,288	$60,920	$12,640	$6,534	$1,358	$7,766	$3,070	3.67%
Yale University	$90,975	$67,250	$11,300	$8,600	$1,000	$125	$2,700	3.73%

Which Ivy League Has the Highest Tuition Cost?

Across the board, Ivy League tuition will increase this upcoming year at a rate in excess of the U.S. inflation rate (which stood at approximately 2.4% last we checked!). Not that these schools are at all subject to the dictates of the market. In 2024, an elite education from an Ivy League is valued at an all-time high. Acceptance rates are down to record lows, Ivy League degrees are more lucrative than ever, and the cost of living in the cities and towns housing Ivy League campuses keeps driving up. What do they care about what the average American can afford?

For this reason, Columbia’s total costs, which include tuition, fees, and living expenses, are the highest among the eight schools — New York City is no cheap place to live! Unless, of course, you’re a Columbia student deciding to take up residence in a tent in the middle of campus. Your parents still pay the housing costs, but what does that matter, right?

Perhaps surprisingly, Harvard and Princeton have the lowest total costs for this upcoming academic year. But they’re among the most selective of the Ivies, so how can this be? The answer lies in their immense endowments. Harvard has the largest endowment of any private educational institution in the world (and would take the cake for all private institutions if the Vatican didn’t outdo it). Princeton has the highest spending per-student ratio in higher education. These awe-inspiring numbers mean that these schools can stand to charge their students slightly less than their (relatively!) poorer counterparts.

How to Navigate Ivy League Costs While Applying

Can you afford an Ivy League education? This question is a stumbling block for many students and families who are intent on submitting Early Round applications to these schools. However, every Ivy (and most highly selective institutions) provides Net Price Calculators on their admissions websites. By plugging in your family’s finances, these tools will provide you with the information you need to make a confident decision about committing Early or not. 

However, remember that your projected cost for attending an Ivy League school will be among the lowest attainable among elite private universities. After all, most other schools don’t have the endowments necessary to supplement student financial aid to the same extent as places like Brown or Yale. Your education is an investment in your future. It’s not worth cutting corners!