College 'sticker prices' have risen dramatically. Here's why ^81.6%

NPR - By Elissa Nadworny - 11/20/2025, 9:51 AM

Appeal to Authority 16.2% - Post Hoc (False Cause) 12.1% - Optimism Bias 8.9%

It's no secret that going to college can be very expensive, with tuition costs rising faster than financial aid. But what's causing that price tag to rise so quickly? After adjusting for inflation, tuition has essentially doubled for private and public colleges over the past 30 years. NPR's series Cost of Living: The Price We Pay is... more