Most expensive colleges The cost of a college education has risen steadily over the past decade. Here is a list of the priciest four-year colleges and universities this year, based on the latest report by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Sarah Lawrence College - Bronxville, N.Y. Total cost (2009-2010): $55,788 Total cost (2008-2009): $54,066 Georgetown University - Washington, D.C. Total cost (2009-2010): $52,161 Total cost (2008-2009): $50,700 New York University - New York, N.Y. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,993 Total cost (2008-2009): $50,282 George Washington University - Washington, D.C. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,775 Total cost (2008-2009): $50,537 Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Md. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,690 Total cost (2008-2009): $49,778 Columbia University - New York, N.Y. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,544 Total cost (2008-2009): $49,306 Wesleyan University - Middletown, Conn. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,432 Total cost (2008-2009): $49,570 Trinity College - Hartford, Conn. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,400 Total cost (2008-2009): $48,624 Washington University in St. Louis - St. Louis, Mo. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,329 Total cost (2008-2009): $48,88  (tie). Bates College* - Lewiston, Maine Total cost (2009-2010): $51,300 Total cost (2008-2009): $49,350 (tie). Vassar College* - Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Total cost (2009-2010): $51,300 Total cost (2008-2009): $49,250 Source - http://money.cnn.com/galleries...