According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for elementary and high school tuition and fees are 817.07% higher in 2026 versus 1985 (a $163.41 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2026:Elementary and high school tuition and fees experienced an average inflation rate of 5.55% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, elementary and high school tuition and fees costing $20 in the year 1985 would cost $183.41 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.76% during this same period, inflation for elementary and high school tuition and fees was higher.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 9.21%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for elementary and high school tuition and fees during the 1985-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for elementary and high school tuition and fees was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Elementary and high school tuition and fees, over time, for $20 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $20.00 | 9.21% |
| 1986 | $21.61 | 8.06% |
| 1987 | $23.64 | 9.36% |
| 1988 | $25.88 | 9.49% |
| 1989 | $28.12 | 8.67% |
| 1990 | $30.63 | 8.92% |
| 1991 | $33.20 | 8.38% |
| 1992 | $35.78 | 7.77% |
| 1993 | $38.36 | 7.21% |
| 1994 | $40.66 | 6.00% |
| 1995 | $43.42 | 6.78% |
| 1996 | $45.69 | 5.23% |
| 1997 | $48.26 | 5.62% |
| 1998 | $51.57 | 6.87% |
| 1999 | $54.84 | 6.34% |
| 2000 | $58.62 | 6.90% |
| 2001 | $62.43 | 6.50% |
| 2002 | $66.76 | 6.93% |
| 2003 | $71.19 | 6.63% |
| 2004 | $75.97 | 6.71% |
| 2005 | $80.97 | 6.58% |
| 2006 | $85.63 | 5.76% |
| 2007 | $90.37 | 5.54% |
| 2008 | $95.59 | 5.77% |
| 2009 | $100.58 | 5.22% |
| 2010 | $104.62 | 4.01% |
| 2011 | $108.58 | 3.78% |
| 2012 | $112.45 | 3.57% |
| 2013 | $116.56 | 3.66% |
| 2014 | $121.09 | 3.89% |
| 2015 | $125.76 | 3.86% |
| 2016 | $130.18 | 3.51% |
| 2017 | $134.85 | 3.59% |
| 2018 | $140.41 | 4.12% |
| 2019 | $145.43 | 3.57% |
| 2020 | $149.26 | 2.63% |
| 2021 | $153.10 | 2.58% |
| 2022 | $157.67 | 2.99% |
| 2023 | $164.64 | 4.42% |
| 2024 | $172.58 | 4.82% |
| 2025 | $179.81 | 4.19% |
| 2026 | $183.41 | 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 |