Inflation-Adjusted Net Tuition at Private Colleges Drops 11.2 Percent in Last Five Years

Average net tuition and fees (published tuition and fees minus grants from all sources and federal tax benefits) at nonprofit private colleges and universities actually declined by 11.2 percent, from $12,750 in 2005-10 to $11,320 in 2010-11, when adjusted for inflation, according to the College Board.

Looking back 10 years, inflation-adjusted net tuition and fees at private colleges declined 7.4 percent, from $12,230 in 2000-01 to $11,320 in 2010-11.

The College Board also reported five- and 10-year trends for net total cost of attendance (tuition and fees plus room and board charges).

• In the last five years, the inflation-adjusted net total cost of attendance at nonprofit private colleges declined 1.8 percent from $21,410 in 2005-06 to $21,020 in 2010-11.

• In the last 10 years, inflation-adjusted net total cost of attendance at  nonprofit private college increased 5 percent, from $20,010 in 2000-01 to $21,020 in 2010-11.  

The net tuition findings were reported in the College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2010 report, which was released along with Trends in Student Aid 2010 on October 28.

The College Board's news release is here (PDF). For an overview of the news media's coverage of the College Board's reports, including the net tuition findings, click here.   

Additional Data

Other pertinent data on tuition, student aid, and affordability trends from the College Board and other sources:

• In 2010-11, full-time students at nonprofit private colleges received an estimated average of approximately $16,000 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits. This reduces the average published tuition and fees of $27,293 to an average net tuition of $11,320.

• In 2007-08 (most recent year for data), private colleges provided an estimated $19.3 billion in undergraduate student aid funding from their own resources.

• In 2010-11, institutional grant aid at nonprofit private colleges increased at an average of 6.8 percent, according to a NAICU member survey [news release]. This comes on top of an increase of 9 percent last year. [Note: the College Board reports an increase of 12.4 percent in overall institutional grants from 2008-09 to 2009-10, but does not provide a figure for 2010-11.]

• In 2010-11, nonprofit private colleges increased published tuition and fees by an average of 4.5 percent, the second lowest increase in 37 years. Last year, our institutions increased published tuition and fees by 4.3 percent, the lowest increase in 37 years.  

The Bottom Line

Record increases in institutional student aid, and tuition increases that are the lowest in decades, have kept nonprofit private colleges affordable to students from all backgrounds, despite the economic downturn. Our colleges continue to be a great investment for many students. Independent institutions are committed to keeping tuition increases as low as possible (by enhancing operating efficiency and effectiveness) and to maintaining generous student aid policies, while providing a quality academic experience.