College Board reports historical low for percentage increase in 2013-14 college costs

The College Board has released its annual Trends in College Pricing report for the 2013-14 school year. The report shows a 2.9% average increase (to 8,893) in tuition and fees for in-state students at public four-year institutions, the smallest percentage increase in over 30 years. A 3.5% increase (to $3,264) is seen at public two-year institutions, and a 3.8% increase (to $30,094) is reported at private non-profit four-year colleges.

The addition of room and board charges brings the totals to $18,391 and $40,917 at public four-year institutions (in-state) and private four-year colleges, respectively.

Ten-year trends show published tuition and fees for in-state students at public four-year institutions increasing at a rate of 4.2% each year beyond general inflation. The comparable average increases for public two-year institutions and private four-year colleges are 3.0% and 2.3%.

The report also points out that because of increases in aid, the average net price for full-time in-state public four-year students was actually lower in 2009-10 then in 2008-09. However, it has increased from 2009-09 to 2013-14.
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