According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for college tuition and fees are 314.49% higher in 2026 versus 1993 (a $62,898.89 difference in value).
Between 1993 and 2026:College tuition experienced an average inflation rate of 4.40% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, college tuition costing $20,000 in the year 1993 would cost $82,898.89 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for college tuition was higher.
In the year 1993: Pricing changed by 9.36%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for college tuition during the 1993-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1993 (2.95%), inflation for college tuition was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for College tuition, over time, for $20,000 beginning in 1993. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | $20,000.00 | 9.36% |
| 1994 | $21,396.20 | 6.98% |
| 1995 | $22,683.18 | 6.02% |
| 1996 | $23,966.59 | 5.66% |
| 1997 | $25,191.48 | 5.11% |
| 1998 | $26,255.76 | 4.22% |
| 1999 | $27,297.90 | 3.97% |
| 2000 | $28,426.42 | 4.13% |
| 2001 | $29,879.72 | 5.11% |
| 2002 | $31,918.34 | 6.82% |
| 2003 | $34,592.24 | 8.38% |
| 2004 | $37,870.02 | 9.48% |
| 2005 | $40,697.38 | 7.47% |
| 2006 | $43,424.82 | 6.70% |
| 2007 | $46,141.88 | 6.26% |
| 2008 | $49,019.56 | 6.24% |
| 2009 | $51,965.34 | 6.01% |
| 2010 | $54,664.73 | 5.19% |
| 2011 | $57,411.09 | 5.02% |
| 2012 | $60,195.52 | 4.85% |
| 2013 | $62,737.97 | 4.22% |
| 2014 | $65,055.41 | 3.69% |
| 2015 | $67,312.87 | 3.47% |
| 2016 | $69,124.56 | 2.69% |
| 2017 | $70,506.09 | 2.00% |
| 2018 | $72,065.26 | 2.21% |
| 2019 | $74,122.90 | 2.86% |
| 2020 | $75,142.95 | 1.38% |
| 2021 | $75,795.85 | 0.87% |
| 2022 | $77,433.63 | 2.16% |
| 2023 | $78,924.68 | 1.93% |
| 2024 | $80,285.07 | 1.72% |
| 2025 | $81,820.86 | 1.91% |
| 2026 | $82,898.89 | 1.32%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for College tuition and fees:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 57.900 | 59.908 | 64.667 | 70.833 | 79.625 | 90.325 | 99.725 | 109.942 | 119.925 | 129.633 | 139.383 | 150.000 | 161.900 | 174.967 | 192.783 | 213.517 | 233.492 | 249.792 | 264.817 | 279.800 | 294.100 | 306.525 | 318.692 | 331.867 | 348.833 | 372.633 | 403.850 | 442.117 | 475.125 | 506.967 | 538.687 | 572.283 | 606.674 | 638.188 | 670.251 | 702.758 | 732.440 | 759.495 | 785.850 | 807.000 | 823.129 | 841.332 | 865.354 | 877.263 | 884.885 | 904.005 | 921.413 | 937.295 | 955.224 | 967.810 |