Variation in Tuition and Fee Increases, 2008-09

Although the average increase in tuition and fees at public four-year colleges in 2008-09 was 6.4%, 48% of full-time students at public four-year colleges and universities attend institutions that increased their published prices by less than 6%.

Key Takeaways

Although the 6.4% average increase in tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities in 2008-09 exceeded the 5.9% increase at private not-for-profit four-year institutions, the median increase in the published price facing public college students was about $380, compared to $1,464 for private college students.

About one-fifth of full-time students at public four-year colleges attend institutions that increased their published prices by less than $200, and about a quarter attend institutions that increased their published prices by more than $600.
About a quarter of full-time students at private four-year colleges attend institutions that increased their published prices by less than $1,000 in 2008-09, and about a quarter attend institutions that increased their published prices by more than $1,800.

ALSO IMPORTANT

Increases in published prices do not necessarily
correspond to increases in the amounts students pay, which also depend on the amounts of grant aid they receive.

Table 3: Distribution of Full-Time Undergraduates at Public and Private Four-Year Institutions
by Percentage and Dollar Increase in Published Tuition and Fees, 2008-09

Percentage Increase	Public Four-Year	Private Four-Year	Dollar Increase	Public Four-Year	Private Four-Year
Under 3%	16.3%	5.1%	Under $200	21.5%	2.4%
3 to <6%	31.5%	52.6%	$200 to $399	32.3%	5.3%
6 to <9%	29.4%	36.0%	$400 to $599	21.8%	4.0%
9 to <12%	14.2%	5.1%	$600 to $799	11.3%	5.1%
12 to <15%	7.3%	0.8%	$800 to $999	5.9%	7.6%
15 to <18%	0.6%	0.1%	$1,000 to $1,199	3.1%	10.5%
18 to <21%	0.3%	0.1%	$1,200 to $1,399	1.2%	10.7%
21% or more	0.3%	0.2%	$1,400 to $1,599	0.4%	13.4%
			$1,600 to $1,799	1.0%	14.3%
			$1,800 to $1,999	0.6%	12.3%
			$2,000 or more	1.0%	14.5%

Notes: For out-of-state students enrolled in public four-year colleges, the nonresident premium has been added to in-state tuition and fees. Some out-of-state students actually pay lower prices because of reciprocity agreements, which allow students from neighboring states to pay less than the full out-of-state price. The distribution of students across institutions is based on the latest available enrollment data, which are for 2007-08. Percentages may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges. excel

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This table was prepared in October 2008.

Figure 3: Distribution of Full-Time Undergraduates at Public and Private Four-Year Institutions
by Percentage and Dollar Increase in Published Tuition and Fees, 2008-09

Public Four-Year

Private Four-Year

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This graph was prepared in October 2008.