Historical data · sourced snapshots
College Tuition Inflation History Since 1978
This index covers college tuition and fees, elementary and high school tuition, and childcare and nursery school costs. BLS began publishing it in 1978, so the series starts later than the other history pages. From 1978 to 2020 it multiplied more than thirteen times, roughly triple the increase in overall CPI over the same span.
Historical chart
1978 to 2026
The BLS tuition, other school fees, and childcare index, which begins in 1978, at decade snapshots.
| Period | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 65.4 | First available FRED/BLS series period |
| 1980 | 78.0 | Costs begin climbing |
| 1990 | 170.3 | Tuition outpaces wages |
| 2000 | 327.4 | Debt-financed education grows |
| 2010 | 609.6 | Affordability pressure |
| 2020 | 871.6 | Modern tuition baseline |
| 2026 | 925.5 | Tuition, fees, and childcare CPI, 2026-08 |
What the numbers mean
Reading the tuition inflation history
The growth rate has slowed since the mid-2010s as enrollment declined and institutions expanded discounts, but the level remains high. The index reflects published prices, so it captures list tuition rather than the net price after grants and scholarships.
Related pages
Healthcare inflation · Inflation calculator · What is inflation?
Sourced snapshots are rounded; the latest point is refreshed by a scheduled data update and carries its observation date. Methodology · Report a correction.
Questions
Tuition inflation history FAQ
Does this include financial aid?
No. The index tracks published prices. Net prices after grants have risen more slowly, especially at public colleges, but the sticker price is what the CPI measures.
Why does the series start in 1978?
BLS introduced this component in 1978 when it expanded the CPI to cover all urban consumers. Earlier education prices were not tracked in a comparable way.
Is childcare really in the same index?
Yes. BLS groups tuition, other school fees, and childcare together as one expenditure category, which is why the label is longer than “tuition.”