It is no myth that college is getting more expensive. The overall cost of college has risen by over 155% since 1980, while the median family income has only risen by approximately $10,000. This trend is seen across all schools, but the cost of private schools has risen beyond imagination.

For example, the University of Southern California, or USC, a private college located in Los Angeles, has reached an overall cost of $99,133 for the 2025-2026 school year.

 Even with that cost, the return on investment and access to resources might still make a private college worthwhile.

First, let’s look at the ROI. A study by Georgetown University focused on the net present value of these colleges. Net present value is a measurement of the value of something adjusted for inflation. The net present value, 40 years after graduation, are as follows: Private nonprofit colleges,  $838,000; for-profit colleges, $551,000; public colleges, $776,000. These values show how much value a college degree has from different types of institutions.

Second, let’s look at some of the other benefits of private colleges. The main benefits are lower student-to-facility ratios and increased resources. Private universities have smaller class sizes and access to more extracurricular activities. In addition, many top private schools have a strong alumni network.

There are definitely benefits for private colleges, especially looking at the 40-year net present value. There are also still benefits to going to a public college, especially for highly ranked ones. Schools like the University of California, Berkeley, can have the same ROI as lower-ranked private colleges.

So, are these private colleges worth it? It depends. There are many factors that can change your ROI. This data is an average net present value, but it can depend on a number of things. Some factors are how much you are paying for your degree, what your major is, and whether there are any advantages that a private college gives you over a public college. 

For example, a recent graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a profession in engineering or architecture will make $97,000 a year on average, while someone who is working in life, physical, or social sciences will make on average $47,000 a year. This difference can drastically change the ROI based on your major.