Where Data Tells the Story
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In 1975-76, one year at a public 4-year college (tuition, fees, room and board) cost 15% of U.S. median household income ($1,780 vs. $11,800). In 2023-24, it cost 29% ($23,176 vs. $80,610). For private colleges, the share went from 31% to 63%. Among these years, the highest was 2015-16: 34% public, 70% private.
These are published charges for full-time undergraduates. What students pay after grants is lower and is not shown. Public is in-district tuition; private includes nonprofit and for-profit colleges. Income is before taxes. Not adjusted for inflation; income is for the year each school year begins, so inflation mostly cancels out.