Annual Increases in Published Tuition & Fees Vs. Rate of Inflation

One Reason college feels so unaffordable is that prices have risen faster than other consumer goods and faster than inflation

Rate of inflation

Private colleges

Public, four-year colleges

Public, two-year colleges

2.8%

2018

-2.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Inflation is measured based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, using the figure in July of the year in which the academic year begins. Inflation rate calculation by MONEY.