According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for elementary and high school tuition and fees are 1,747.69% higher in 2026 versus 1978 (a $349.54 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2026:Elementary and high school tuition and fees experienced an average inflation rate of 6.26% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, elementary and high school tuition and fees costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $369.54 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.43% during this same period, inflation for elementary and high school tuition and fees was higher.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by 2.58%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for elementary and high school tuition and fees during the 1978-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1978 (7.63%), inflation for elementary and high school tuition and fees was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Elementary and high school tuition and fees, over time, for $20 beginning in 1978. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | $20.00 | 2.58% |
| 1979 | $21.74 | 8.71% |
| 1980 | $24.37 | 12.09% |
| 1981 | $27.36 | 12.24% |
| 1982 | $30.87 | 12.85% |
| 1983 | $33.71 | 9.19% |
| 1984 | $36.90 | 9.47% |
| 1985 | $40.30 | 9.21% |
| 1986 | $43.55 | 8.06% |
| 1987 | $47.62 | 9.36% |
| 1988 | $52.14 | 9.49% |
| 1989 | $56.66 | 8.67% |
| 1990 | $61.71 | 8.92% |
| 1991 | $66.88 | 8.38% |
| 1992 | $72.08 | 7.77% |
| 1993 | $77.28 | 7.21% |
| 1994 | $81.92 | 6.00% |
| 1995 | $87.47 | 6.78% |
| 1996 | $92.05 | 5.23% |
| 1997 | $97.22 | 5.62% |
| 1998 | $103.90 | 6.87% |
| 1999 | $110.49 | 6.34% |
| 2000 | $118.11 | 6.90% |
| 2001 | $125.79 | 6.50% |
| 2002 | $134.51 | 6.93% |
| 2003 | $143.43 | 6.63% |
| 2004 | $153.06 | 6.71% |
| 2005 | $163.13 | 6.58% |
| 2006 | $172.53 | 5.76% |
| 2007 | $182.08 | 5.54% |
| 2008 | $192.59 | 5.77% |
| 2009 | $202.65 | 5.22% |
| 2010 | $210.78 | 4.01% |
| 2011 | $218.75 | 3.78% |
| 2012 | $226.56 | 3.57% |
| 2013 | $234.85 | 3.66% |
| 2014 | $243.98 | 3.89% |
| 2015 | $253.39 | 3.86% |
| 2016 | $262.29 | 3.51% |
| 2017 | $271.70 | 3.59% |
| 2018 | $282.90 | 4.12% |
| 2019 | $293.00 | 3.57% |
| 2020 | $300.72 | 2.63% |
| 2021 | $308.46 | 2.58% |
| 2022 | $317.68 | 2.99% |
| 2023 | $331.71 | 4.42% |
| 2024 | $347.70 | 4.82% |
| 2025 | $362.27 | 4.19% |
| 2026 | $369.54 | 2.01%* |
* 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 Elementary and high school 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 | 5.500 | 5.642 | 6.133 | 6.875 | 7.717 | 8.708 | 9.508 | 10.408 | 11.367 | 12.283 | 13.433 | 14.708 | 15.983 | 17.408 | 18.867 | 20.333 | 21.800 | 23.108 | 24.675 | 25.967 | 27.425 | 29.308 | 31.167 | 33.317 | 35.483 | 37.942 | 40.458 | 43.175 | 46.017 | 48.667 | 51.361 | 54.326 | 57.165 | 59.457 | 61.707 | 63.908 | 66.247 | 68.821 | 71.476 | 73.988 | 76.641 | 79.800 | 82.651 | 84.827 | 87.012 | 89.611 | 93.569 | 98.080 | 102.189 | 104.240 |