Infographic figure
Growth in cost of public four-year college compared with growth of median family income, 1991–2018
| Year | Median income growth | Net tuition, fees, room and board | Total tuition, fees, room and board |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 1992 | -0.7% | 1.9% | 2.9% |
| 1993 | -2.1% | 4.2% | 6.7% |
| 1994 | 0.6% | 7.5% | 10.6% |
| 1995 | 2.9% | 10.6% | 14.7% |
| 1996 | 4.4% | 8.2% | 13.7% |
| 1997 | 7.6% | 11.0% | 17.0% |
| 1998 | 11.4% | 10.2% | 19.6% |
| 1999 | 13.9% | 8.2% | 22.4% |
| 2000 | 14.5% | 9.1% | 24.6% |
| 2001 | 12.8% | 8.6% | 25.5% |
| 2002 | 11.6% | 12.4% | 30.9% |
| 2003 | 11.3% | 19.1% | 38.1% |
| 2004 | 11.2% | 27.3% | 47.3% |
| 2005 | 11.8% | 34.1% | 54.4% |
| 2006 | 12.5% | 39.8% | 59.5% |
| 2007 | 15.0% | 42.3% | 62.2% |
| 2008 | 11.0% | 46.3% | 67.3% |
| 2009 | 8.8% | 40.3% | 68.0% |
| 2010 | 7.3% | 42.3% | 81.9% |
| 2011 | 5.3% | 47.7% | 90.8% |
| 2012 | 5.3% | 59.2% | 95.3% |
| 2013 | 9.2% | 65.5% | 100.0% |
| 2014 | 9.3% | 67.7% | 102.3% |
| 2015 | 15.9% | 70.2% | 104.3% |
| 2016 | 17.7% | 77.4% | 110.8% |
| 2017 | 83.1% | 115.3% | |
| 2018 | 86.5% | 118.2% |
Notes: Net tuition, fees, room and board is total tuition, fees, room and board minus total grant aid and tax benefits. Median income for 2017 and 2018 has not been published yet.
Sources: College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2017, Table 7, and U.S. Census Bureau CPS Annual Social and Economic Supplements 2017, Table F-7
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