States' average college tuition

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).