Tuition at most US colleges is expensive, and getting more so. With the prospect of a lifetime of debt a reality for many students, college price tags are an important consideration in choosing which school to attend.

The US Department of Education has released Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 data on college tuition rates, revealing the most expensive colleges in the US and those colleges whose tuition rates are rising the fastest.

To help you in your college search, here are the top 10 most expensive four-year not-for-profit colleges – both public and private. This data was collected from the U.S. Department of Education College Affordability and Transparency Center.

Top 10 Most Expensive Public Colleges

Top 10 Most Expensive Private Colleges

Some of these schools’ tuition rates include room and board, and some do not. This list also does not analyze colleges in terms of the complete cost to a student, including scholarships, fellowships and other means of paying for college.

As more and more people  question the value of a college education, students and parents are asking why colleges have become so expensive.

In line with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the US Department of Education’s policy of revealing colleges’ tuition rates will also require those colleges with the most expensive price tags to justify their prices and provide a plan for the future to lower their costs.

Whatever college you choose to attend, be aware of the cost of tuition when applying to colleges and develop a realistic financial plan for your future to help make sure that you avoid unnecessary college debt.

Hopefully, the most expensive colleges in the US will find a way to reduce costs in the near future. All prospective college students must still seriously consider the cost of tuition when choosing a college.

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