College Tuition

 

Going to college in 1965 cost $1,2,50/year for room, board, and tuition with books costing about another $250 at the most...  so roughly $1500 per year.

$69, 163 is the cost for the same three items in 2025...  roughly 60 years later.  The cost of books is about $900 which includes both hardback, paperback and digital.  

That's a 4,567% increase over 60 years.  The cumulative inflation rate in the USA from 1966 to 2025 has been 892.18%.

The cost of attend this same college has increased over FOUR TIMES the national cumulative inflation rate over that same 60 year period.

NOW...  for me...  that does not make any sense.  Why has college tuition increased four times faster than the national inflation rate?

Are colleges/universities gouging the public?

Based upon data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average tuition increase for colleges and universities was 1,538.73% from 1977 to 2025 which is just shy of 50 years not the 60 years in my example.

The cumulative percentage increase in wages from 1966 to 2025 is 3100% based upon an increase from $5000 to $160,000.

Still...

looking at these numbers, college/university all inclusive tuition has increased ONE THOUSAND PERCENT more than wages over the last 60 years.

It would appear to me that the colleges and universities are taking advantage over people's desire to attend college.

Is going to college worth the price???