A degree now costs more than $90,000 a year at some US universities

The price of getting a degree has continued to climb at American universities, with the cost of some schools reaching a new threshold. It's leaving many wondering if it's a good investment.

Schools like New York University, Tufts, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale are pegging the total cost of university attendance which covers tuition, housing, food, supplies, books, and more for the 2024-2025 school year at over $90,000, according to their websites.

NYU, already known for its high fees, estimates the total cost for the next school year will be $93,184, with tuition ($62,796) and food and housing ($24,652) listed as the most expensive line items. 

The total is up 3.3% from the $90,222 estimated for this school year.

And while that's much higher than the typical sticker price of private four-year institutions the average was $41,540 this year, per College Board the figures reflect both the growing costs of living in American cities and the ever-increasing costs of education.

Tuition and fees at private national universities have increased about 40% over the past 20 years, adjusted for inflation, according to U.S News & World Report.

When not adjusted for inflation, that's a massive jump of about 132%.

Out-of-state and in-state tuition and fees at public universities have risen about 38% and 56%, respectively, inflation-adjusted over the same period.

Universities are quick to note that very few (and usually only the wealthiest) students actually pay the sticker price, and more top schools now guarantee they will meet the financial needs of all accepted students.

To their credit, the net cost of private four-year colleges has actually fallen over the past decade, when adjusted for inflation, per College Board.

Still, for families in the lowest income bracket, the net cost of college which takes into account grants and scholarships amounts to 148% of their annual household income, the Institute of Higher Education Policy found.