The total cost of a US college education has increased significantly since the 1980s and is anticipated to continue. This report breaks down the average cost of tuition and estimates its growth by the 2032/33 academic year.
- By the 2032/33 academic year, average tuition fees for 4-year courses at public colleges are projected to reach $16,934.
- Average tuition fees for 4-year courses at private colleges are projected to reach $51,550.
- For students on 4-year courses, tuition fees are projected to be over 3.04 times higher at private colleges.
- Average tuition fees for 2-year courses at public colleges are projected to reach $6,249.
- Average tuition fees for 2-year courses at private colleges are projected to reach $21,326.
- For students on 2-year courses, tuition fees are projected to be over 3.41 times higher at private colleges.
- Although many institutions chose to halt specific fee increases during Covid, these are widely expected to resume growth.
- Furthermore, fees for room & board, travel and books contribute towards the overall cost of attendance and are also anticipated to increase in line with inflation.
Average cost of tuition and projected growth at US colleges
Public colleges
- Average tuition fees for 4-year courses at public colleges have been growing at an annual rate of 5.049% over a 20-year period.
- As of the 2020/21 academic year, average tuition fees for public 4-year courses totalled $9,377.
- This is projected to grow to $16,934 by 2032/33.
- Average tuition fees for 2-year courses at public colleges have been growing at an annual rate of 4.947% over a 20-year period.
- As of the 2020/21 academic year, average tuition fees for public 2-year courses totalled $3,501.
- This is projected to grow to $6,249 by 2032/33.
| Year | Public college (4-year) | Public college (2-year) |
| 2000-01 | $3,501 | $1,333 |
| 2005-06 | $5,351 | $1,935 |
| 2010-11 | $8,079 | $2,441 |
| 2015-16 | $8,778 | $3,038 |
| 2020-21 | $9,377 | $3,501 |
| 2025/26 | $11,996 | $4,457 |
| 2030/31 | $15,346 | $5,674 |
| 2032/33 | $16,934 | $6,249 |
A graph is given below to show the average cost of tuition and projected growth at US public colleges:
Private colleges
- Average tuition fees for 4-year courses at private colleges have been growing at an annual rate of 3.833% over a 20-year period.
- As of the 2020/21 academic year, average tuition fees for private 4-year courses totalled $32,825.
- This is projected to grow to $51,550 by 2032/33.
- Average tuition fees for 2-year courses at private colleges have been growing at an annual rate of 2.709% over a 20-year period.
- As of the 2020/21 academic year, average tuition fees for private 2-year courses totalled $15,474.
- This is projected to grow to $21,326 by 2032/33.
| Year | Private college (4-year) | Private college (2-year) |
| 2000-01 | $15,470 | $9,067 |
| 2005-06 | $19,292 | $12,450 |
| 2010-11 | $22,677 | $13,687 |
| 2015-16 | $27,942 | $14,528 |
| 2020-21 | $32,825 | $15,474 |
| 2025/26 | $39,617 | $17,687 |
| 2030/31 | $47,814 | $20,216 |
| 2032/33 | $51,550 | $21,326 |
A graph is given below to show the average cost of tuition and projected growth at US private colleges:
