How much will it cost to go to college? It’s one of the first questions students and parents ask when choosing a university. But getting a clear answer isn’t as easy as it should be. Universities publish tuition rates, yet few students actually pay that amount.
At PDF Guru, we know the question of college costs matters deeply to our own community. Many of our users are young people weighing their education options, as well as families with children preparing for college enrollment. Because we share that journey with them, we recognize how critical this decision point can be. To help, we built a Net Price Calculator that uses official US Department of Education data (IPEDS to give trustworthy numbers. We also discovered that this data reveals more than just costs — it highlights patterns in financial aid, enrollment, and admissions.
In this article, we’ve combined those insights into simple infographics so you can compare schools more effectively.
How the calculator works
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Start by filtering schools by type (public or private), state, and size so you only see the kinds of colleges you’re interested in.
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Adjust filters such as tuition range, graduation rate, and acceptance rate to narrow your options further.
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Select your family income range to see cost estimates that factor in the financial aid you’ll likely qualify for.
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Choose your residency, either in-state or out-of-state, as that can make a big difference in tuition.
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Choose your living situation (on campus, off campus with family, or off campus without family) to get a more accurate net price.
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Use the search bar if you already have a college in mind and want to look it up directly.
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Compare schools side by side to see how they stack up on cost, aid, graduation rate, and more.
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See instant results from over 1,500 colleges using real federal data.
If you take screenshots to keep track of your research, our JPG to PDF tool can help you save those images as clean, shareable documents.
Why net price matters
Sticker price doesn’t tell the full story. The listed cost of attendance doesn’t show what most students actually pay. Net price shows the average cost after grants and scholarships are applied.
Income and living situation affect costs. What you pay depends on your family income, whether in-state or out-of-state, and if you live on campus, off campus, or with family.
Comparing net prices helps you budget smarter. Two schools can have the same tuition but very different net costs. Looking at net price helps you find affordable options and avoid unnecessary debt.
If you're keeping notes or cost comparisons as a PDF to share with a counselor or family, our PDF to Word converter lets you turn that file into an editable document that others can review or update.
College infographics
While building the calculator, we realized the data revealed more than just tuition and fees. It showed which colleges are the most affordable, which schools enroll the most students, and how admissions trends shape opportunities. To bring those stories to life, we created a series of infographics that spotlight the best universities in the US in key areas — from low-income affordability and Pell Grant coverage to tuition levels, admission rates, and student yield.
Think of them as a quick, visual guide to comparing colleges, giving you a clearer picture of your options.
1. Most affordable universities for low-income students
This infographic shows colleges ranked by affordability for students from families earning under $30,000 a year. Instead of focusing on published tuition, it highlights the average net price, which is the actual amount students pay after scholarships and grants are applied. By showing real costs, the ranking makes it easier to compare schools and find those that provide the most meaningful financial support. It also highlights institutions that expand access to higher education for low-income students.
with the most affordable net price
| Chart | University Name | State | Net Price ($) |
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2. Universities with the highest Pell Grant coverage
This ranking lists US colleges by the share of students receiving a Pell Grant, the primary form of federal aid for low-income families. You can hover over any university on the interactive map to see its rate.
A higher percentage means the school enrolls more students from lower-income backgrounds, while a 100% rate is typically found at specialized or mission-driven institutions. It doesn’t necessarily mean every student comes from a low-income family, since Pell Grant eligibility depends on citizenship status, application process, and specific income thresholds. A high share of Pell Grant recipients also signals that the university prioritizes access and equity, with strong support systems in place for these students. For families, this ranking helps reveal which colleges are most dedicated to opening opportunities for low-income students.
with the highest Pell grant coverage
| Chart | University Name | State | Pell Grant Coverage (%) |
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3. Universities by enrollment
This infographic ranks US universities by the size of their full-time student enrollment in 2023. Schools with larger enrollments usually offer more programs, larger campuses, and a wider range of opportunities and resources. At the same time, they can also come with larger class sizes and a different feel to campus life compared with smaller schools. This ranking gives students and families a clearer picture of the scale of each university and how that scale might shape the overall college experience.
If you save charts as images during your research, you can convert them to PDFs for easier sharing. Then, use our Merge PDF tool to combine everything into one file so your notes and visuals stay in one place.
with the largest enrollment
| Chart | University Name | State | Full-time Enrollment |
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4. Most generous universities (aid vs. tuition)
This infographic shows how much tuition costs compare with the average grants and scholarships students receive. In other words, it shows how aid lowers the actual cost of education.
The map reflects the average amount of institutional grants and scholarships students receive compared with the published cost of attendance. A higher ratio shows that a university covers a larger share of tuition through aid, reducing the net price students pay. This ranking helps families see which schools invest heavily in financial support, making higher education more accessible even where tuition is high.
with the most generous aid vs tuition
| Chart | University Name | State | Generosity Score |
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5. Universities with the highest tuition fees in 2023–24
This ranking lists the US universities with the highest tuition fees for the 2023–24 academic year. The numbers focus only on tuition and do not include housing, meals, books, or other related expenses. Seeing these figures helps families understand the actual cost of attending the most expensive schools and prepare for the financial commitment. It also makes it easier to compare tuition costs with the amount of financial aid a school typically offers, showing where high tuition might be offset by substantial scholarships or grants.
with the highest tuition fees in 2023-24
| Chart | University Name | State | Tuition & Fees |
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6. Universities with the highest admission rate
This college ranking shows which universities accept the largest percentage of applicants. Schools with high admission rates tend to be less selective, which can appeal to students seeking a simpler path to enrollment. These higher rates are often found at public universities and private colleges that emphasize access, regional service, and broader opportunities for diverse groups of students.
In addition, universities with high admission rates often provide a broad range of programs designed to meet different academic and career goals. They may also be especially welcoming to transfer students and those following nontraditional paths to higher education.
with the highest admission rate
| Chart | University Name | State | Admission Rate (%) |
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7. Universities with the highest admission rate among men
This infographic shows where admitted male applicants are most likely to be accepted. The numbers help male applicants see which universities tend to be more accessible, particularly in fields or regions where gender balance plays a role. Higher male acceptance rates may reflect differences in the applicant pool, institutional priorities, or targeted recruitment efforts. It’s important to remember that admission rate alone does not capture academic rigor or campus life. Other factors, such as program demand, available support services, and student retention, also shape the experience at these universities.
with the highest admission rate among men
| Chart | University Name | State | Admission Rate Men (%) |
|---|
8. Universities with the highest admission rate among women
This ranking highlights the 100 universities with the highest proportion of female applicants who are offered admission. For women, the numbers can shed light on accessibility, efforts to achieve gender balance, or institutional priorities in different regions and fields. A high acceptance rate may reflect factors such as inclusive admissions policies, the range of academic programs, campus safety, student support systems, and a welcoming environment for women.
While acceptance rates signal how open an institution is to admitting female applicants, other factors, such as location, affordability, and campus culture, play major roles in whether admitted students ultimately choose to attend. Differences in acceptance rates can also come from institutional characteristics, such as women’s colleges or programs designed to attract female students, as well as broader trends in higher education.
with the highest admission rate among women
| Chart | University Name | State | Admission Rate Women (%) |
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9. Universities with the highest yield among admitted students
This chart shows the universities where admitted students are most likely to enroll. A high yield means many accepted students actually enroll, often showing that a school is trusted, popular, or seen as a good value. In addition, yield is an important measure of a university’s appeal among accepted applicants, distinct from its acceptance rate. High yield can indicate strong brand reputation, effective outreach, or competitive financial aid, but factors like location, specialized programs, or limited alternatives can also play a role.
with highest yield among admitted students
| Chart | Name | State | Admissions yield total |
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10. Universities with the highest yield among men
This infographic highlights the colleges where admitted male students are most likely to enroll. Higher male enrollment rates can be linked to strong STEM or business programs, athletic traditions, active campus organizations, or the career opportunities students believe the school can provide.
Male yield can also be shaped by factors such as the overall gender balance on campus, specific recruitment efforts, available scholarships, or simply how close a school is to where applicants live. While yield doesn’t measure academic quality or student satisfaction, it reveals clear patterns in how men choose colleges and how those choices align with broader national trends.
with highest yield among men
| Chart | Name | State | Admissions yield men |
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11. Universities with the highest yield among women
This infographic ranks the 100 universities where admitted female students are most likely to enroll. A high yield for women can be linked to available programs, campus culture, scholarship opportunities, location, and support services that meet the needs of female applicants.
Other influences include the gender balance at a school, targeted recruitment, or a strong reputation in fields like health, education, or the humanities. Yield doesn’t measure academic quality, but it does show where admitted women are more likely to choose to study. When combined with other data like graduation rates, resources, and campus life, this information helps explain what makes certain schools more appealing to female students.
with highest yield among women
| Chart | Name | State | Admissions yield women |
|---|
12. Universities with the lowest tuition fees in 2023–24
This ranking highlights the 100 universities with the lowest published tuition fees for the 2023–24 academic year, making it easier for students and families to identify cost-effective higher education options. The list focuses on the sticker price of tuition only and doesn’t include housing or other expenses, which can further affect total college costs.
Many of these schools are public universities, which often offer especially low rates for in-state residents, though the list also includes some private institutions with competitive pricing or substantial institutional aid. Affordable tuition can help minimize reliance on student loans and reduce overall debt after graduation.
with the lowest tuition fees in 2023-24
| Chart | Name | State | Tuition and fees |
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13. Universities with the largest gap between in-state and out-of-state prices (on campus)
This infographic ranks the top 100 universities with the largest gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for on-campus students. It specifically highlights public institutions where non-resident students pay much higher tuition than state residents, sometimes more than double or triple the in-state rate. These differences are driven by state funding policies that favor residents over non-residents, and can greatly affect affordability for students considering studying outside their home state.
with largest difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition (on-campus)
| Chart | Name | State | Out-of-state price (on-campus) | In-state price (on-campus) | Difference |
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14. Universities with the largest gap between in-state and out-of-state prices (off campus, not with family)
This infographic highlights the universities with the largest tuition gaps between in-state and out-of-state students who live off campus on their own, rather than with family. Focusing on the living situation provides a clearer picture of how residency status and housing choices affect the true cost of college. It shows how much more out-of-state students usually pay compared to in-state residents when living off campus. The biggest gaps appear at public universities, where local students benefit from lower tuition supported by state tax dollars, while non-residents face higher rates. This information helps students and families see how residency and living choices can change the total cost of college and plan more realistically.
with Largest difference between in-state and out-of-state prices (off campus)
| Chart | Name | State | Out-of-state price | In-state price | Difference |
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15. Universities with the lowest cost and highest admission yield
This infographic highlights 27 universities that combine low overall costs and high rates of admission for applicants. These institutions offer a distinctive blend of affordability and accessible admissions, making them appealing to cost-conscious students seeking broader opportunities. This is often due to reasonable tuition, generous financial aid packages, respected academic programs, and supportive campus services.
Universities featured in this ranking typically invest in robust student support systems and varied educational offerings. Along with their commitment to maintaining low costs, this can help explain their approach to accessible admissions and their reputation for meeting student needs.
with the lowest cost and high admission yield
| Rank | University Name | State | Tuition & Fees | Admission Yield (%) |
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16. Universities with the highest tuition and lowest admission rates
Prestigious colleges often attract large numbers of applicants thanks to their strong reputations, accomplished faculty, and extensive resources. This demand drives down acceptance rates, even as tuition stays high.
For students, these institutions can provide access to respected academics, valuable research opportunities, and influential professional networks. However, high costs and selective admissions can create real barriers, particularly for those without significant financial aid or exceptional academic records.
with the highest tuition and lowest admission rate
| Chart | Name | State | Admission yield total | Tuition and fees |
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17. States with the highest number of universities
The number of institutions in a state often correlates with its population size, economic strength, and long-term investment in higher education. In states with the most schools, like California, New York, and Texas, you’ll find a mix of large public university systems, private colleges, community colleges, and specialized institutions, providing students with broader academic diversity and flexibility. This distribution can also influence the availability of programs, tuition ranges, research opportunities, and campus experiences across different regions.
Final thoughts
We hope these national college rankings will help you narrow down your university choice. For a deeper analysis of each school, you can turn to our Net Price Calculator. It’s free to use and based on official IPEDS data, which means every result is backed by government-reported information.
As you explore information about these elite institutions, you may find yourself compiling charts, notes, and other relevant data into a single document, such as a PDF. Keep in mind that merging many files can inflate the size of a PDF, but compressing PDFs will make the file smaller and easier to send or open.
When the time comes to move from research to actual applications, you’ll often need to handle all sorts of document forms and provide electronic signatures. To make that part easier, you can use our Sign PDF tool to complete and submit forms quickly and securely, without the need to print anything.