A dollar is not just a dollar when it comes to the most expensive degrees in the world.
Accompanied by a hefty price tag, these priceless degrees are proof that you can’t put a value on a good education. They lead you to a world of opportunities — more so than your average degree.
However, that’s not to say that having one of the most expensive degrees in the world means you’re guaranteed success. Other factors come into play too, like what you make of the skills, knowledge, and connections from the degree you graduated with.
Take law, for example. Say you graduated from Columbia Law School, ranked top 35 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
For the 2024-25 academic term, it costs US$89,775 to pursue a Juris Doctor and LLM programme. That’s not including housing, food, personal expenses and academic supplies, which can cost up to US$119,997, according to the law school’s website.
If you didn’t work hard (and law school is hard) and take advantage of the school’s long-standing relationships with top employers from around the globe, alumni network, or renowned faculty, you’ll get nowhere.
Fail, and you may even get deported.
What this shows is that the most expensive degrees in the world, when used and appreciated in the right ways, are priceless in the seemingly endless list of benefits you get out of it.
In the long run, it may even be a small price to pay to get you closer to the life and career you want.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at the most expensive degrees in the world. We’ve ranked them below according to:
- how much they cost, including tuition and miscellaneous fees
- the expected salaries (according to data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, unless stated otherwise)
- job prospects for graduates
- top universities and programmes in each field
8 of the most expensive degrees in the world that are worth every cent
Is it smart to choose one of the most expensive degrees in the world if you can’t afford it? Source: AFP
1. Law
Here are some of the best law schools in the world:
Apart from being one of the most challenging and longest courses in the world, it’s not surprising to read that studying law is expensive.
Depending on where you study, a law degree, such as a juris doctor degree, can take up to four years to complete. Pair that with the fact that there are bar exams and a pupillage period to complete, and it can take a lot of time and money for you to qualify as a lawyer.
If you wish to practise in a different jurisdiction, you would need to pass the Bar exam in a specific state or country, which will also cost money.
Despite this, many students pursue this field because of the potential for high-paying careers in law firms, government agencies, and other legal organisations.
Expected median salary US$145,760 (2023)
Mechanical engineering may be one of the most expensive degrees in the world, but it could set you up to build systems and structures for top brands like BMW. Source: AFP
2. Mechanical Engineering
Here are some of the best universities to pursue mechanical engineering:
If you’re planning on pursuing engineering, know this fact: it will be more expensive for you to study a specialised area of engineering.
Take Blake Hinsey, for example. As a mechanical engineering graduate, he left the US and pursued an MSc in Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes University to land a job in Formula One.
That one-year degree — at that point — costs 17,800 pounds (US$23,020), making this one of the most expensive degrees in the world.
Generally, engineering programmes require access to advanced laboratory facilities and equipment, which can be expensive to maintain and update, like the Wind Tunnel at the Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London.
Engineering faculty members and staff, who are experts in their field, usually maintain these facilities. As such, they receive higher salaries due to their specialised knowledge and expertise — salaries that are factored into the fees students pay to attend a university.
Expected median salary: US$ 105,220 (2023)
The cost of an Ari Alexa LF, a popular camera used in major Hollywood productions, can range from US$100,000 to US$150,000, depending on the specific model. Source: AFP
3. Film Studies
Here are some of the best film schools around the globe:
- USC School of Cinematic Arts, Film & Television Production (US$73,260)
- National Film and Television School, Directing and Producing Television Entertainment (53,000 pounds, US$68,543)
- London Film School, MA Filmmaking (68,792 pounds, US$88,966)
Like engineering, film studies is one of the most expensive degrees in the world — for good reasons.
In this course, you will familiarise yourself with expensive cameras, fancy video recording equipment, complex editing software, and more for an authentic practical learning experience.
Some film schools require you to create your film as part of the curriculum. These projects cost money and time as you’d need to make props, scout shooting locations, and find actors.
Upon graduation, you’ll likely need to create a few film projects for your portfolio, which you will pay out of your pocket.
Luckily, since most businesses know the impact of great videos, companies are always on the lookout for professional video editors or videographers to market their business.
Expected median salary: US$79,000 (2021)
Berklee’s music recording and production facilities are arguably the biggest in the US. Source: AFP
4. Music
Here are some of the best universities to pursue music:
- University of Aberdeen, BMus (20,800 pounds, US$26,899)
- University of Cambridge, Music (35,358 pounds, US$45,727)
- Berklee College of Music, Bachelor of Music (US$26,220)
Are you an aspiring musician? You might think that a degree in music is unnecessary, especially when social media can help you to become a viral sensation overnight.
While that may be true, a music degree can open a world of opportunities for those who want to work behind the scenes in music production while combining their passion with practicality.
Yes, it can be an expensive major — but the benefits are immense. Imagine accessing top-notch tutoring, state-of-the-art facilities, recording equipment, and networking opportunities with industry shapers.
John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Miles David, and Paul McCartney hold music degrees — which they’ve used to great success.
Upon graduation, you’re set to join them and are well-prepared to manage musicians, produce music, or even become a session musician for an artist’s album recording or live concert.
Expected median salary: US$168,964 as a music producer
Dream of becoming a pilot? If you are prepared to pursue one of the most expensive degrees in the world, a career in aviation can be worth the wait. Source: AFP
5. Aviation
Here are some of the best flight schools to kickstart your aviation career:
Major airlines generally prefer candidates with a four-year degree in aviation. They can expedite your career progression, thanks to skilled instructors who are often retired pilots.
Be warned, though. Tuition at flight school can add up quickly due to aircraft procurement and maintenance costs, cutting-edge technology, and expensive fuel needed to carry passengers and cargo.
That said, the statistics show that pilots earn impressive salaries. Pair that with various allowances and paid accommodations, and you’ll find that aviation is one of the most lucrative careers available today.
Expected median salary: US$171,210 (2023)
6. Business
Here are some figures to show why an MBA is one of the most expensive degrees in the world:
MBAs have always been the golden ticket to high-paying jobs.
In 2022, 86% of business school graduates landed jobs right after completing their programme — up from 80% the year before. Even better? The median starting salary for new MBA hires in the US recently hit US$120,000 in 2024, far outpacing what bachelor’s degree holders earn.
This degree isn’t just about getting higher salaries, access to fantastic business networks, or better job opportunities outside what you think you’re good at — it’s also a way to change the world for the better.
Take Kennedy Baboloki Kwati, for example. He initially thought he was ready to pivot away from his social impact work into consulting by acquiring his MBA, but little did he know that his studies only pushed him to return to social development with all the knowledge he gained from his programme to do good in the world.
“After reflecting, I’ve come to the realisation that what really matters to me and what’s most important is doing good with my life,” says Kwati. “Working in finance for the sake of making money doesn’t seem particularly appealing to me. Consulting is exciting work intellectually and I would be very happy doing it, but spiritually and emotionally, I wouldn’t be fully bought into it.”
Expected median salary: US$120,000 (Graduate Management Admissions Council)
It’s hard to keep up with the world of fashion. Source: AFP
7. Fashion Design
Here are the best fashion schools in the world:
Despite the glamorous appeal of fashion, it takes time, effort, and a creative eye to design clothes that can easily capture people’s attention.
If you plan to study at a school in a major fashion capital like New York, your tuition fees will be more expensive.
The good thing about studying in a fashion capital is that you are close to the best connections, renowned fashion fairs, and industry practices — vital factors that can fast-track you to becoming a designer, buyer, or celebrity stylist.
Expected median salary: US$190,000 as a creative director
Whether in Bandung or Brooklyn, a dentist is set to have many job opportunities that pay well. Source: AFP
8. Dentistry
Here are a few figures to show how expensive it is to study dentistry:
- King’s College London, Dentistry BDS (58,200 pounds, US$75,268 per year)
- Karolinska Institutet, Dentistry (1,900,000 Swedish kroner, US$18,8961 for five years) – this programme is taught entirely in Swedish.
- University of California Los Angeles, Doctor of Dental Surgery (US$52,147 per year)
It’s hardly surprising to read that dentistry is one of the most expensive degrees in the world.
You’ll need to complete a five-year degree in dentistry approved by the General Dental Council, followed by one to two years of postgraduate dental training.
In some cases, you are required to complete a Dental Admission Test to be admitted into dental schools in the US and Canada or the University Clinical Aptitude Test in the UK.
That’s not including the dental equipment you’ll handle at uni, the cost of clinical rotations, or your cost of living as an international student.
Expected median salary: US$170,910 (2023)
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on March 26, 2025.
