After Trump took office, a series of chaotic policies have caused widespread panic, leaving international students and those planning to study abroad increasingly anxious about an uncertain future.
However, apart from uncertainty, the already confirmed facts are just as headache-inducing.
For example, tuition fees that never stop rising.
UC Tuition Soars, UCB Approaches Private School Costs
In November last year, the University of California system dropped a bombshell:
Tuition for out-of-state and international undergraduates will face a historic surge, with annual total costs at some campuses exceeding $80,000. UC Berkeley (UCB) is even approaching the cost levels of private institutions.
Source: EdSource
Out-of-State Tuition Jumps 9.9%, Gap Hits Record High
Under the new policy, out-of-state undergraduate tuition for Fall 2025 will rise by a one-time $3,402 (approx. RMB 25,000), bringing annual tuition to $52,536 (approx. RMB 380,000).
This increases the tuition gap between out-of-state and in-state students from $34,200 to $37,602 (approx. RMB 270,000), a record-setting 9.9% jump for the UC system. When room, board, books, and other expenses are included, total annual costs for out-of-state students typically exceed $80,000.
UCB leads the system at $89,106, followed closely by other popular campuses like UC Davis ($84,366) and UCSB ($84,960).
While UCLA and UCI have yet to release specific figures, it appears certain their total costs will also breach the $80,000 mark.
In-State Students Not Immune to Inflation; Larger Hikes May Loom
Although in-state students were not included in this targeted increase, persistent inflation will still push tuition for the incoming class of 2025 up by about $500, bringing annual total costs close to $50,000.
What worries students more is that UC Chief Financial Officer Nathan Brostrom explicitly stated there is still room for future increases, and some campuses could soon join the "$90,000 club."
As the world's most influential public education system, UC's price hike not only adds to the financial strain on international students but also reflects a deeper crisis of out-of-control higher education costs in the U.S.
But this is not an isolated case; the price hikes at elite private universities are even more staggering.
Approaching $100,000: Private University Tuitions Go Haywire
Just how staggering? Based on data released for the 2025–2026 academic year, 24 U.S. private universities have officially announced updated costs—and tuition plus room and board have gone up almost across the board.
What is truly jaw-dropping is that at elite institutions like Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Penn, Columbia, Brown, Rice, and Carnegie Mellon, total annual expenses easily surpass $90,000, with some increases reaching 4%–6%.
Source: official websites of various universities
Here is a taste of the increases at several renowned schools – feel the power of "up":
· Stanford University
Tuition up 4% to $67,731
Room and board also rise to $22,167
Total annual cost: approximately $90,000
· Yale University
Has increased by roughly 4% annually since 2015
2025–2026 tuition: $69,900
Total cost spikes to $94,425
· Duke University
This wave saw a 5.93% jump
Tuition hits $70,265, room and board $21,777
· Rice University
Up 5.83%, tuition at $66,540
Total cost surges past $90,000 from last year's $86,279
· Georgetown University
Up 4.9%, tuition reaches $71,136
Additionally, among the Top 50 universities, as many as 23 now have official annual costs exceeding $90,000.
Among them, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, Columbia University, Boston College, and others already sit firmly among the "Top 10 Most Expensive Private Universities." As the 2025–2026 academic year officially begins, the "$100,000 era" may be just around the corner.
Even more disheartening: few Top 50 universities remain in the "$80,000 club"—only five are holding the line:
· Massachusetts Institute of Technology $85,960
· Johns Hopkins University $88,976
· University of Notre Dame $89,245
· Emory University $88,502
· Lehigh University $88,600
MIT, JHU, Emory, and others have yet to announce their latest tuition; breaking the $90,000 barrier may be only a matter of time.
Two US Universities Impressively Hold the Line: No Tuition Hikes for 13 Consecutive Years
While most colleges keep raising tuition, two "easygoing" universities have chosen not to increase it—and this applies equally to out-of-state and international students as well as in-state ones.
They are the University of Florida and Purdue University.
Their latest announcements confirm that tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year will remain at current levels, with only minor adjustments to room, board, and fees. Notably, the total annual cost for in-state students at both the University of Florida and Purdue is below $30,000, and for out-of-state and international students it remains under $50,000.
In an era where many U.S. colleges easily cost $60,000–$70,000 per year, this is truly rare.
Purdue even announced well in advance that it will continue to freeze tuition, marking 13 consecutive years of zero tuition growth.
Source: Purdue University official website
That said, while tuition may be skyrocketing, many U.S. universities are indeed ramping up financial aid—and in some cases expanding it to middle-class families and international students.
Harvard Announces Free Tuition for These Students
Recently, Harvard University officially announced that starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, it will significantly enhance financial aid for eligible students:
✅ Students from families with annual incomes below $200,000 and "typical assets": tuition is free, with additional aid for fees, room, board, and other expenses based on financial circumstances;
✅ Students from families with annual incomes below $100,000: all costs, including tuition, room, board, fees, insurance, transportation, and activities, are fully covered. Each student will also receive a $2,000 grant in both their freshman and junior years;
✅ Even families with incomes above $200,000 may qualify for scholarships and grants, depending on their detailed financial situation.
The key point is—these policies may apply not only to U.S. residents but also to international students!
Harvard is one of the very few U.S. universities that practice a "Need-Blind" admission policy for international students, meaning international students can receive the same financial aid as American citizens.
Source: Harvard University official website
Beyond Harvard, a growing number of elite U.S. universities—including MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Vanderbilt, Stanford, Duke, the University of Virginia, and New York University—have been adjusting financial aid policies in recent years, aiming to break the stereotype that "only the wealthy can study abroad."
In addition to need-based aid, some top U.S. universities have established full-ride scholarship programs specifically for international students. Competition is fierce, but with thorough preparation, one still has a chance.
For instance, Duke University's Robertson Scholars Leadership Program offers only about 30 slots annually, covering full tuition, room, board, and most fees for eight semesters, plus summer internships and study-abroad stipends.
The University of Notre Dame's Greater China Scholars Program, designed specifically for Chinese students, offers up to $250,000 over four years, evaluating academic ability, leadership, and social responsibility.
Source: University of Notre Dame official website
As U.S. undergraduate tuition keeps climbing, application difficulty shows no sign of easing—each year brings a new level of competition.
When factoring tuition costs into your school selection, it's also essential to prepare thoroughly and make the final sprint for application season.
We hope everyone gets an offer from their dream school and realizes their life aspirations!
