A line chart showing that average tuition and fees has generally trended up over three decades. From 1992 to 2002, private nonprofit four-year tuition went up 35%, then 26% in the following decade and 6% in the latest third decade. The third decade had a jump but then a decline due to the pandemic, which is why the percent increase isn’t as dramatic. The same trend follows for public four-year instate colleges, where the percentage changes are 37%, 65% and then -1% over the three periods. Public two-year in-district changes are 16%, 48% and then -4%. The actual costs are significant. Private four-year college tuition and fees rose from $22,000 in 1992 to $39,400 in 2022. Public four-year in-state tuition jumped from $4,870 to $10,940. Public two-year in-district tuition went from $2,340 to $3,860.