States' average college tuition
By: United States General Accounting Office, Health, Education, and Human Services Division
Publisher: The Office; The Office, distributor
Published: 1996
Place of publication: [Washington, D.C; Gaithersburg, MD (P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg 20884-6015)
Language: eng
Format: Microform
Number of pages: 10
Subjects: College costs -- United States -- States; Universities and colleges -- United States -- States -- Finance; Education, Higher -- United States -- States -- Finance
Description: This report presents statistical data on trends in tuition costs from 1980-81 through 1995-96. The average tuition for in-state undergraduate students of 4-year public colleges and universities for academic year 1995-96 was approximately 8.9 percent of median household income. This figure was obtained by dividing the students' average annual tuition by the state's median household income for calendar year 1994, the last year for which data were available. College tuition as a percentage of income varies widely among states, from 3.61 percent in Hawaii to 15.42 percent in Vermont, with the national average being 8.88 percent. From academic year 1980-81 through 1994-95, tuition charges at 4-year public colleges and universities for in-state undergraduate students increased nationally by 234 percent. In contrast, household incomes rose 82 percent during the same period, according to data from the consumer price index and other information from the "1995 Statistical Abstract of the United States". During the 15 years reviewed, prices and costs of other consumer goods (medical care, automobiles, houses, and food) also increased, but not as fast as the tuition increases. (Mah).
Notes: Running title

Shipping list no.: 99-0108-M

"September 19, 1996."

"GAO/HEHS-96-213R"--P. [1]

"B-274567

Includes bibliographical references

Microfiche. [Washington, D.C.] : U.S. General Accounting Office, [1999?] 1 microfiche : negative