According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for elementary and high school tuition and fees are 1,629.22% higher in 2024 versus 1978 (a $325.84 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2024: Elementary and high school tuition and fees experienced an average inflation rate of 6.39% 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 $345.84 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for elementary and high school tuition and fees was higher.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by 3%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for elementary and high school tuition and fees during the 1978-2024 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 | 3.00% |
| 1979 | $21.78 | 8.88% |
| 1980 | $24.39 | 11.99% |
| 1981 | $27.31 | 12.00% |
| 1982 | $30.68 | 12.31% |
| 1983 | $33.58 | 9.46% |
| 1984 | $36.86 | 9.78% |
| 1985 | $40.13 | 8.88% |
| 1986 | $43.57 | 8.55% |
| 1987 | $47.63 | 9.33% |
| 1988 | $52.11 | 9.41% |
| 1989 | $56.62 | 8.65% |
| 1990 | $61.62 | 8.84% |
| 1991 | $66.75 | 8.33% |
| 1992 | $72.02 | 7.89% |
| 1993 | $77.17 | 7.15% |
| 1994 | $81.79 | 5.98% |
| 1995 | $87.38 | 6.84% |
| 1996 | $91.96 | 5.24% |
| 1997 | $97.12 | 5.60% |
| 1998 | $103.79 | 6.87% |
| 1999 | $110.34 | 6.31% |
| 2000 | $117.95 | 6.90% |
| 2001 | $125.61 | 6.49% |
| 2002 | $134.30 | 6.92% |
| 2003 | $143.23 | 6.65% |
| 2004 | $152.87 | 6.73% |
| 2005 | $162.87 | 6.54% |
| 2006 | $172.33 | 5.81% |
| 2007 | $181.84 | 5.52% |
| 2008 | $192.34 | 5.77% |
| 2009 | $202.39 | 5.22% |
| 2010 | $210.51 | 4.01% |
| 2011 | $218.47 | 3.78% |
| 2012 | $226.26 | 3.57% |
| 2013 | $234.54 | 3.66% |
| 2014 | $243.66 | 3.89% |
| 2015 | $253.06 | 3.86% |
| 2016 | $261.95 | 3.51% |
| 2017 | $271.34 | 3.59% |
| 2018 | $282.53 | 4.12% |
| 2019 | $292.62 | 3.57% |
| 2020 | $300.33 | 2.63% |
| 2021 | $308.06 | 2.58% |
| 2022 | $317.26 | 2.99% |
| 2023 | $331.28 | 4.42% |
| 2024 | $345.84 | 4.40%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 57.600 | 59.331 | 64.600 | 72.346 | 81.031 | 91.008 | 99.615 | 109.354 | 119.062 | 129.238 | 141.292 | 154.585 | 167.962 | 182.808 | 198.031 | 213.662 | 228.931 | 242.631 | 259.223 | 272.815 | 288.100 | 307.892 | 327.315 | 349.892 | 372.615 | 398.415 | 424.892 | 453.500 | 483.169 | 511.223 | 539.442 | 570.583 | 600.396 | 624.473 | 648.102 | 671.214 | 695.784 | 722.824 | 750.706 | 777.085 | 804.950 | 838.132 | 868.069 | 890.926 | 913.880 | 941.174 | 982.741 | 1025.961 |