States' Average College Tuition.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: States' Average College Tuition.
Language: English
Authors: Eglin, Joseph J., General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div.
Availability: U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 (first copy free, additional copies $2 each).
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 1996
Report Number: GAO/HEHS-96-213R
Intended Audience: Policymakers
Document Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Access to Education, Cost Indexes, Educational Finance, Expenditures, Higher Education, In State Students, Inflation (Economics), Paying for College, Public Colleges, Statistical Data, Student Costs, Trend Analysis, Tuition
Geographic Terms: U.S.; District of Columbia
Abstract: This report presents statistical data on trends in tuition costs from 1980-81 through 1995-96. The average tuition for in-state undergraduate students of 4-year public colleges and universities for academic year 1995-96 was approximately 8.9 percent of median household income. This figure was obtained by dividing the students' average annual tuition by the state's median household income for calendar year 1994, the last year for which data were available. College tuition as a percentage of income varies widely among states, from 3.61 percent in Hawaii to 15.42 percent in Vermont, with the national average being 8.88 percent. From academic year 1980-81 through 1994-95, tuition charges at 4-year public colleges and universities for in-state undergraduate students increased nationally by 234 percent. In contrast, household incomes rose 82 percent during the same period, according to data from the consumer price index and other information from the "1995 Statistical Abstract of the United States". During the 15 years reviewed, prices and costs of other consumer goods (medical care, automobiles, houses, and food) also increased, but not as fast as the tuition increases. (MAH)
Notes: For a related document, see ED 399 847.
Journal Code: RIEMAR1997
Entry Date: 1997
Accession Number: ED400764
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This report presents statistical data on trends in tuition costs from 1980-81 through 1995-96. The average tuition for in-state undergraduate students of 4-year public colleges and universities for academic year 1995-96 was approximately 8.9 percent of median household income. This figure was obtained by dividing the students' average annual tuition by the state's median household income for calendar year 1994, the last year for which data were available. College tuition as a percentage of income varies widely among states, from 3.61 percent in Hawaii to 15.42 percent in Vermont, with the national average being 8.88 percent. From academic year 1980-81 through 1994-95, tuition charges at 4-year public colleges and universities for in-state undergraduate students increased nationally by 234 percent. In contrast, household incomes rose 82 percent during the same period, according to data from the consumer price index and other information from the "1995 Statistical Abstract of the United States". During the 15 years reviewed, prices and costs of other consumer goods (medical care, automobiles, houses, and food) also increased, but not as fast as the tuition increases. (MAH)