When choosing a university, students are increasingly focusing on potential return on investment, and rightly so.
Cost is now a major hurdle, with an increasing number of schools charging upwards of six figures a year. A recent study shows that list price alone is enough to make you question whether a college degree is worth it.
“$100,000 a year is like a luxury item,” said Adam Nguyen, founder of college admissions consulting firm Ivy Link.
However, rising tuition fees are not the only problem. Artificial intelligence is also rapidly disrupting the job market, with some employers saying they now value skills and experience over degrees alone. For students entering university, deciding whether and how to pursue higher education has become complex.
A 2025 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that many factors influence whether college pays off, including the amount of financial aid offered, the student’s out-of-pocket costs, choice of major, future earning potential, and how long it takes to graduate.
“We’re finding that more and more families are questioning the ROI of different colleges,” said Jamie Beaton, co-founder and CEO of college consulting firm Crimson Education. “For schools like MIT, Princeton, Harvard and Stanford, which are at the top of the market, there’s absolutely no question of a return,” Beaton said. “Just attending one of these top universities sends a powerful signal to future employers.”
But many other universities continue to offer valuable rewards, Nguyen said. “Top schools tend to have better ROI, followed by flagship state universities,” he said.
According to a new report from The Princeton Review, which ranks universities by overall value considering academics, affordability and career prospects for graduates, top choices include Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Harvey Mudd College and University of Michigan.
The education services company’s new 2027 report is based on survey data from more than 650 university administrators, students and alumni during the 2025-26 academic year. This incorporates information such as costs, financial aid, career services, student loans, and graduation rates.
“In our opinion, they are truly the most exceptional in the nation in offering excellent academics, affordable costs, and an excellent career foundation,” said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review. These universities have an “outstanding ROI in many ways, from excellent academics to great career services, but most of all, they give generous financial aid to students who need it,” he said.
Among the top five private schools on the Princeton Review list, the average list price, including tuition and fees plus room and board, was $97,813 as of June 2026. The average scholarship awarded to students in need was $75,646.
Among the five public schools on this list, the average in-state tuition was $38,194 and the average scholarship awarded to students in need was $26,976.
