According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for tuition, other school fees, and childcare are 1,171.02% higher in 2026 versus 1980 (a $234.20 difference in value).
Between 1980 and 2026:Tuition, other school fees, and childcare experienced an average inflation rate of 5.68% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, tuition, other school fees, and childcare costing $20 in the year 1980 would cost $254.20 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.02% during this same period, inflation for tuition, other school fees, and childcare was higher.
In the year 1980: Pricing changed by 10.10%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for tuition, other school fees, and childcare during the 1980-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1980 (13.55%), inflation for tuition, other school fees, and childcare was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Tuition, other school fees, and childcare, over time, for $20 beginning in 1980. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | $20.00 | 10.10% |
| 1981 | $22.45 | 12.25% |
| 1982 | $25.42 | 13.24% |
| 1983 | $28.00 | 10.13% |
| 1984 | $30.82 | 10.10% |
| 1985 | $33.61 | 9.06% |
| 1986 | $36.39 | 8.27% |
| 1987 | $39.30 | 7.99% |
| 1988 | $42.41 | 7.92% |
| 1989 | $45.69 | 7.72% |
| 1990 | $49.34 | 8.00% |
| 1991 | $53.74 | 8.92% |
| 1992 | $58.54 | 8.93% |
| 1993 | $63.26 | 8.07% |
| 1994 | $67.34 | 6.45% |
| 1995 | $71.28 | 5.84% |
| 1996 | $75.01 | 5.24% |
| 1997 | $78.73 | 4.96% |
| 1998 | $82.62 | 4.95% |
| 1999 | $86.59 | 4.81% |
| 2000 | $90.97 | 5.05% |
| 2001 | $95.78 | 5.29% |
| 2002 | $101.68 | 6.16% |
| 2003 | $108.57 | 6.78% |
| 2004 | $116.33 | 7.15% |
| 2005 | $123.79 | 6.41% |
| 2006 | $131.43 | 6.17% |
| 2007 | $138.74 | 5.56% |
| 2008 | $146.61 | 5.67% |
| 2009 | $154.15 | 5.15% |
| 2010 | $160.95 | 4.41% |
| 2011 | $167.70 | 4.19% |
| 2012 | $174.37 | 3.98% |
| 2013 | $180.75 | 3.66% |
| 2014 | $186.67 | 3.28% |
| 2015 | $193.42 | 3.62% |
| 2016 | $198.84 | 2.80% |
| 2017 | $203.48 | 2.34% |
| 2018 | $208.15 | 2.29% |
| 2019 | $214.18 | 2.90% |
| 2020 | $218.38 | 1.96% |
| 2021 | $221.47 | 1.41% |
| 2022 | $227.47 | 2.71% |
| 2023 | $234.90 | 3.27% |
| 2024 | $242.39 | 3.19% |
| 2025 | $250.06 | 3.16% |
| 2026 | $254.20 | 1.66%* |
* 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 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare:
| 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 | 57.800 | 59.792 | 64.692 | 71.225 | 79.950 | 90.533 | 99.700 | 109.767 | 119.708 | 129.608 | 139.958 | 151.042 | 162.700 | 175.717 | 191.383 | 208.467 | 225.300 | 239.825 | 253.833 | 267.125 | 280.375 | 294.242 | 308.383 | 323.967 | 341.092 | 362.108 | 386.650 | 414.292 | 440.858 | 468.058 | 494.079 | 522.098 | 548.971 | 573.174 | 597.208 | 620.979 | 643.681 | 664.780 | 688.814 | 708.115 | 724.655 | 741.262 | 762.749 | 777.716 | 788.712 | 810.078 | 836.543 | 863.224 | 890.534 | 905.284 |