Tuition costs of colleges and universities
Question:
What are the trends in the cost of college education?
Response:
The total cost of attending a postsecondary institution includes the sum of published tuition and required fees;1 books and supplies; and the average cost for room, board, and other expenses for each institution. In academic year 2021–22, the average total cost of attendance for first-time, full-time undergraduate students2 differed by control of institution (public,3 private nonprofit, or private for-profit) and level of institution (4-year or 2-year). In addition, the average total cost of attendance varied by student living arrangement. A student could live on campus; off campus with family; or off campus but not with family. For example, in 2021–22, the average total cost of attendance for first-time, full-time undergraduate students living on campus at 4-year institutions was higher at private nonprofit institutions ($55,800) than at private for-profit institutions ($32,900) and public institutions ($26,000).4
Average tuition and fees5 were higher in academic year 2021–22 than in 2010–11 for first-time, full-time undergraduate students at public and private nonprofit 4-year institutions (in constant 2021–22 dollars).6 In contrast, for private for-profit 4-year institutions, average tuition and fees were lower in 2021–22 than in 2010–11. Specifically, average tuition and fees in 2021–22 were
- $9,700 for public institutions, which was 6 percent higher than $9,100 in 2010–11;
- $17,800 for private for-profit institutions, which was 8 percent lower than $19,400 in 2010–11; and
- $38,800 for private nonprofit institutions, which was 14 percent higher than $34,000 in 2010–11.
Similarly, at 2-year institutions, average tuition and fees were higher in 2021–22 than in 2010–11 for public and private nonprofit institutions and lower in 2021–22 than in 2010–11 for private for-profit institutions. Specifically, average tuition and fees 2021–22 were
- $4,000 for public institutions, which was 13 percent higher than $3,500 in 2010–11;
- $15,600 for private for-profit institutions, which was 12 percent lower than $17,800 in 2010–11; and
- $17,700 for private nonprofit institutions, which was 1 percent higher than $17,600 in 2010–11.
1 For public institutions, this is the lower of in-district or in-state published tuition and required fees.
2 Includes only students who are seeking a degree or certificate.
3 Data for public institutions only include students who paid the in-district or in-state tuition and fees.
4 Data in this Fast Fact represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
5 Average tuition and fees presented in this Fast Fact are calculated differently from those presented in Loans for Undergraduate Students. Tuition and fees in this Fast Fact are based on reporting for first-time, full-time students, rather than all full-time students.
6 All dollar amounts in this Fast Fact are expressed in constant 2021–22 dollars. Constant dollars are based on the Consumer Price Index, prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, adjusted to an academic-year basis.
SOURCE: National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). Price of Attending an Undergraduate Institution. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cua.
Numbers in figure titles reflect original numeration from source Condition of Education indicators.
Related Tables and Figures: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2023, Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Table 330.10. Average undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by level and control of institution: Selected academic years, 196364 through 202122
- 2023, Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Table 330.40. Avg total cost of attendance for first-time, full-time undergraduate students in degree-granting postsec institutions, by ctrl & lvl of institution, living arrangement, & component of student costs: Selected academic yrs, 201011 through 202122
- 2023, The Condition of Education 2023: Loans for Undergraduate Students and Debt for Bachelors Degree Recipients
- 2023, The Condition of Education 2023: Postsecondary Institution Revenues
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board charges for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 201920 and 202021
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 330.30. Average undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board charges for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by percentile of charges and control and level of institution: Selected years, 200001 through 202021
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 330.50. Average and percentiles of graduate tuition and required fees in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control of institution: 198990 through 202021
Other Resources: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2023, 2019–20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20): First Look at Student Financial Aid Estimates for 2019–20
- 2023, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): IPEDS is a system of surveys designed to collect data from all primary providers of postsecondary education.
- 2023, IPEDS College Navigator
- 2023, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) examines the characteristics of students in postsecondary education, with special focus on how they finance their education.
- 2022, 201718 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, Administrative Collection (NPSAS:18-AC): First Look at Student Financial Aid Estimates for 201718
- 2022, College Affordability Views and College Enrollment
- 2021, Postsecondary Institutions and Cost of Attendance in 2020-21; Degrees and Other Awards Conferred: 2019-20, and 12-Month Enrollment: 2019-20
- 2019, Student Financing of Undergraduate Education in 201516: Income, Tuition, and Total Price
- 2018, What High Schoolers and Their Parents Know About Public 4-Year Tuition and Fees in Their State