10 private colleges offering scholarships that cover more than half the cost

Rising tuition costs continue to make higher education one of the most significant financial hurdles for American families. According to the College Board, the average sticker price at a four-year private college reached $43,350 for the 2024-25 academic year—a nearly 4% increase over the previous year.

Yet the actual amount students pay is often far less, thanks to widespread tuition discounting. On average, undergraduates at private colleges end up paying $16,510 in net tuition and fees, a steep 62% discount from the listed price.As part of its annual Top Colleges list, Forbes identified 25 private institutions that stand out for offering especially generous scholarship packages. At each of these schools, at least 95% of students receive some form of grant aid, with scholarships covering no less than half of the total cost of attendance.

In some cases, aid packages cover as much as 80% of annual costs, effectively putting private education within reach for students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Here are some of the most notable institutions from the list.

Washington & Jefferson College (Washington, PA)

Washington & Jefferson College provides first-time undergraduates with an average scholarship of $35,647, covering more than 80% of its $44,295 annual cost of attendance. Known for its tight-knit academic community and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the college blends liberal arts learning with an engaging first-year seminar that incorporates lectures, plays, concerts, and museum trips.

Interestingly, its 60-acre campus also served as the backdrop for Netflix’s 2021 academic dramedy The Chair.

Berea College (Berea, KY)

Berea College is among the most distinctive on the list: no student pays tuition. Instead, the school requires all undergraduates to participate in a work-study programme for at least 10 hours per week, with jobs ranging from hotel service at the college-owned Boone Tavern to groundskeeping. Students receive an average scholarship of $41,626, covering tuition and about 70% of Berea’s $60,718 cost of attendance.

With a highly diverse student body—19% Black, 15% Hispanic, and 8% international—Berea remains a model of affordability and inclusivity in higher education.

Albion College (Albion, MI)

Albion College students benefit from an average scholarship of $46,051, which offsets around 66% of the $70,116 total cost of attendance. Every student receives grant support, with many pursuing popular majors such as biology, economics, and communication.

The college is also known for its equestrian centre and expansive 574-acre campus, which features five miles of hiking trails and 140 acres of outdoor education land.

While most students come from Michigan, roughly a quarter arrive from outside the state, reflecting its growing reach.

Soka University of America (Aliso Viejo, CA)

Founded in 1987 by Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda, Soka University of America ensures that all students receive financial aid. The average award of $32,579 covers about 60% of its $55,064 annual cost of attendance.

The school’s interdisciplinary curriculum requires students to pursue a non-native language for at least two years and spend a semester abroad in a country where that language is spoken. Concentrations range from environmental studies to life sciences, and fees for the mandatory study-abroad programme are included in tuition.

Beloit College (Beloit, WI)

As Wisconsin’s oldest college, Beloit continues its tradition of accessibility by offering every student financial aid, averaging $41,931 per award.

This covers 58% of its $71,959 cost of attendance. Small class sizes define the learning experience—most with 15 or fewer students—while popular academic areas include biology, psychology, and economics. The college also maintains a reputation for strong programmes in geology and anthropology, appealing to students interested in both the sciences and humanities.

Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware, OH)

Ohio Wesleyan, a member of the Ohio Five consortium, provides all 1,500 undergraduates with scholarships averaging $40,326, covering 58% of its $69,383 annual cost.

Known for majors like zoology, psychology, and sports sciences, the college admits about half of its applicants. Beyond the classroom, students benefit from collaboration opportunities with nearby liberal arts peers at Denison, Kenyon, Oberlin, and Wooster.

Kalamazoo College (Kalamazoo, MI)

At Kalamazoo, 98% of students receive scholarships averaging $42,259, which offsets 57% of the $74,208 annual cost. Its hallmark “K Plan” integrates academics with study abroad, internships, social justice work, and a senior project.

Popular majors include biology, business, and chemistry, with 30% of students identifying as students of color and 22% as first-generation. The blend of rigor and experiential learning defines the Kalamazoo experience.

Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)

Famous for its Conservatory of Music, Lawrence University awards every student an average of $38,867 in aid, covering 56% of its $69,849 annual cost. Students pursue liberal arts degrees alongside music-focused programs, all while engaging with a trimester calendar.

A hallmark of the curriculum is the first-year studies course, which introduces undergraduates to a wide spectrum of disciplines.

The College of Wooster (Wooster, OH)

The College of Wooster offers scholarships averaging $42,063, reducing more than half of its $75,800 cost of attendance. All students receive some form of aid, and nearly all live on campus. Popular majors include political science, psychology, and computer science, with 15% of the student body composed of international students.

Wooster also maintains an academic partnership with India’s Ewing Christian College.

University of Tulsa (Tulsa, OK)

The University of Tulsa provides every student with aid averaging $36,801, which offsets 55% of the $66,688 annual cost. Distinguished as one of the few private research institutions on the list, Tulsa has a strong record of academic recognition: students have earned 66 Goldwater Scholarships and 27 Fulbright grants. With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it combines research intensity with personalized learning.The Forbes rankings underscore a paradox at the heart of American higher education: while sticker prices at private colleges continue to climb, financial aid remains robust enough to make these institutions more affordable than many assume. Schools such as Berea, Albion, and Washington & Jefferson demonstrate how generous scholarships can bridge the gap between aspiration and affordability. For students and families weighing options in 2025, these colleges highlight a crucial reality—private education, when supported by strong aid packages, can compete directly with public alternatives in accessibility and value.