College Tuition Costs Rising Rapidly

According to a study by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, tuition at public colleges and universities has increased by at least a quarter over the past decade, more than that of private universities. Deep state funding cuts have had major consequences for public colleges and universities.  States (and to a lesser extent localities) provide roughly half of the revenue that can be used to support instruction at these schools. When this funding is cut, colleges and universities look to make up the difference with higher tuition levels, cuts to educational or other services, or both. The study states that responsible reinvestment can only occur, however, if policymakers make sound tax and budget decisions.  

Mitchell, M., & Leachman, M. (2015). Years of cuts threaten to put college out of reach for more students. Washington, D.C.: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/years-of-cuts-threaten-to-put-college-out-of-reach-for-more-students

2008-2013 Graduation Rates

This study presents findings from the preliminary data of the IPEDS winter 2016-17 data collection, which included five survey components: "Graduation Rates, 200 Percent Graduation Rates, Student Financial Aid, Admissions", and "Outcome Measures." This "First Look" provides users with access to IPEDS data soon after the close of data collection. This report is based upon preliminary data that have not been extensively reviewed or edited. The purpose of this report is to introduce new data through tables containing descriptive information. The findings presented here demonstrate the range of information available through IPEDS.

Key findings include:

-       Among full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students awarded any grant aid, differences in average cost of attendance and net price of attendance for the 2015–16 academic year varied by institutional sector.

-       For those attending public 4-year institutions, average cost was approximately $19,600 and net price was about $12,400

-       For those attending nonprofit 4-year institutions, average cost was roughly $39,500 and net price was about $22,200

-       For those attending for-profit 4-year institutions, average cost was approximately $27,900 and net price was about $21,900.

Ginder, S. A., Kelly-Reid, J. E., & Mann, F. B. (2017). Graduation rates for selected cohorts, 2008-13; Outcome measures for cohort year 2008; Student financial aid, academic year 2015-16; and admissions in postsecondary institutions, fall 2016: First look (Preliminary data). NCES 2017-150. United States: National Center for Education Statistics. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED576673.pdf

Price of education

According to a study, public four-year postsecondary institutions reported a 5 percent increase (after inflation) in in-state tuition and required fees and a 3 percent increase in out-of-state tuition and required fees charged to full-time undergraduates between 2006 and 2009. Over the same two-year period, four-year private not-for-profit institutions reported a 5 percent increase and private for-profit four-year institutions reported a 3 percent increase. Private for-profit institutions reported the highest overall average price of attendance during 2008–09 for undergraduates living on campus at $35,021. Public institutions reported an average price of $17,655 for in-state and $26,219 for out-of-state full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates living on campus.

Knapp, L. G., Kelly-Reid, J. E., & Ginder, S. A. (2009). “Postsecondary Institutions and Price of Attendance in the United States: Fall 2008, Degrees and Other Awards Conferred: 2007–08, and 12-Month Enrollment: 2007–08 (NCES 2009-165). Washington, D.C.: National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, & U.S. Department of Education. http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009165.pdf