How much has college tuition gone up since 2020?
+14.4% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of college tuition in 2020 costs $114.42 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much college tuition has gone up
+4.0% in the last 12 months, +14.4% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+4.0%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+14.4%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+202.4%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19786.02%all prices 3.46%
What $100.00 of college tuition in 2020 costs in September 2026
$114.42- College tuition since 2020
- +14.4%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Slower than inflation by
- 15.8 points
College tuition against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. College tuition has risen more slowly than prices overall since 2020.
College tuition by year
| Year | College tuition | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +4.0% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +1.5% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | +2.6% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +1.2% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +2.3% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +1.8% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +0.7% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | +1.7% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | +2.8% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | +2.1% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | +2.3% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | +3.5% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | +3.4% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +3.9% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +4.0% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +6.0% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | +4.1% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +6.0% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | +5.8% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | +6.1% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | +7.0% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | +6.6% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +8.6% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | +9.8% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | +7.0% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | +6.2% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +4.5% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | +4.0% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +3.9% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | +4.6% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | +5.3% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +5.7% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +6.3% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +7.9% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +10.0% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +12.1% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +8.2% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +8.1% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +7.7% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +7.0% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +7.4% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +8.6% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +10.1% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +9.6% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +12.5% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +12.7% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +12.1% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +7.9% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +8.6% | +9.0% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SEEB01: College tuition and fees. Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 1981 (+12.7%), 1982 (+12.5%), 1980 (+12.1%).
- The smallest rise was 2020, at +0.7%.
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). College tuition inflation since 1978. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/college-tuition/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/college-tuition/">College tuition inflation since 1978</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for college tuition now?
4.0% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did college tuition rise the most?
In 1981: +12.7% from December to December. Next were 1982 (+12.5%) and 1980 (+12.1%).
Has college tuition risen faster than inflation?
Yes: since 2000 college tuition has changed +202.4%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1978 the average is 6.02% a year, against 3.46% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for college tuition and fees (series CUUR0000SEEB01, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1978, refreshed after each monthly release.