Average Net Price
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Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, average published tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities increased by about $1,800 in 2011 dollars, an annual rate of growth of 5.1% beyond inflation. The average net tuition and fees in-state students pay after taking grant aid from all sources and federal education tax credits and deductions into consideration increased by about $170 in 2011 dollars, an annual rate of growth of 1.4% beyond inflation.
Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, average published tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities increased by about $1,800 in 2011 dollars, an annual rate of growth of 5.1% beyond inflation. The average net tuition and fees in-state students pay after taking grant aid from all sources and federal education tax credits and deductions into consideration increased by about $170 in 2011 dollars, an annual rate of growth of 1.4% beyond inflation.
Key Points
- Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, room and board charges increased by $1,080, leading to an increase of $1,250 (in 2011 dollars) in average total net price for full-time in-state students at public four-year institutions.
- Average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities are about $3,730 higher (in 2011 dollars) in 2011-12 than they were in 2006-07, but the average net tuition paid by full-time students in this sector declined by $550 in inflation-adjusted dollars over this five-year period.
- When room and board costs are also considered, average total net price for students at private nonprofit four-year institutions increased by about $450 (in 2011 dollars) between 2006-07 and 2011-12.
- On average, grant aid from all sources plus federal education tax credits and deductions cover tuition and fees for full-time students enrolled in public two-year colleges, leaving about $810 for other expenses. However, when food and housing costs are also considered, the average net price for full-time students at public two-year colleges in 2011-12 is about $6,600.
- In 2011-12, full-time students at private nonprofit four-year institutions receive an estimated average of about $15,530 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.
- In 2011-12, full-time students at public four-year colleges and universities receive an estimated average of about $5,750 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.
- In 2011-12, full-time students at public two-year colleges receive an estimated average of about $3,770 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.
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- Large increases in federal Pell Grants and veterans benefits in 2009-10, combined with the 2009 implementation of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, had a significant impact on the net prices paid by students who benefit from these programs.
- Some students pay much less than the net prices reported here, while students who do not receive financial aid do not benefit from the difference between published prices and net prices.
- In 2011-12, net tuition and fees for full-time students at for-profit institutions, after considering grant aid from all sources and federal education tax credits and deductions, average about $4,700, compared to published tuition and fees of $14,490.
Key Points
- Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, room and board charges increased by $1,080, leading to an increase of $1,250 (in 2011 dollars) in average total net price for full-time in-state students at public four-year institutions.
- Average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities are about $3,730 higher (in 2011 dollars) in 2011-12 than they were in 2006-07, but the average net tuition paid by full-time students in this sector declined by $550 in inflation-adjusted dollars over this five-year period.
- When room and board costs are also considered, average total net price for students at private nonprofit four-year institutions increased by about $450 (in 2011 dollars) between 2006-07 and 2011-12.
- On average, grant aid from all sources plus federal education tax credits and deductions cover tuition and fees for full-time students enrolled in public two-year colleges, leaving about $810 for other expenses. However, when food and housing costs are also considered, the average net price for full-time students at public two-year colleges in 2011-12 is about $6,600.
- In 2011-12, full-time students at private nonprofit four-year institutions receive an estimated average of about $15,530 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.
- In 2011-12, full-time students at public four-year colleges and universities receive an estimated average of about $5,750 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.
- In 2011-12, full-time students at public two-year colleges receive an estimated average of about $3,770 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.
Also Important (View)
- Large increases in federal Pell Grants and veterans benefits in 2009-10, combined with the 2009 implementation of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, had a significant impact on the net prices paid by students who benefit from these programs.
- Some students pay much less than the net prices reported here, while students who do not receive financial aid do not benefit from the difference between published prices and net prices.
- In 2011-12, net tuition and fees for full-time students at for-profit institutions, after considering grant aid from all sources and federal education tax credits and deductions, average about $4,700, compared to published tuition and fees of $14,490.
Figure 7: Published Tuition and Fees, Net Tuition and Fees, and Room and Board in Constant 2011 Dollars, Full-Time Undergraduate Students, 1996-97, 2001-02, 2006-07 and 2011-12 (Estimated)
| 96-97 | 01-02 | 06-07 | 11-12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Published Tuition and Fees | $2,110 | $2,050 | $2,520 | $2,960 |
| Net Tuition and Fees | $500 | ($560) | $30 | ($810) |
| Room and Board | $6,400 | $6,910 | $7,260 | $7,410 |
The distribution of grant aid across sectors and between full-time and part-time students is based on data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. The distribution for 2009-10 and later years includes estimates of the changes resulting from the large increase in Pell Grants that year. Because financial aid data for 2011-12 are not yet available, net prices for 2011-12 are estimated based on past years and available information about changes in financial aid.
NOTE: Prices have been rounded to the nearest $10.
SOURCES: The College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges; Trends in Student Aid 2011; calculations by the authors.
Table 7: Published Tuition and Fees, Net Tuition and Fees, and Room and Board in Constant 2011 Dollars, Full-Time Undergraduate Students, 1996-97 to 2011-12
| 96-97 | 97-98 | 98-99 | 99-00 | 00-01 | 01-02 | 02-03 | 03-04 | 04-05 | 05-06 | 06-07 | 07-08 | 08-09 | 09-10 | 10-11 | 11-12 (Est) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Nonprofit Four-Year | |||||||||||||||||
| Published Tuition and Fees | $18,700 | $19,400 | $20,360 | $21,030 | $21,010 | $22,120 | $22,650 | $23,280 | $23,910 | $24,260 | $24,770 | $25,750 | $25,860 | $27,410 | $28,250 | $28,500 | |
| Net Tuition and Fees | $10,630 | $10,850 | $11,260 | $11,670 | $11,610 | $12,650 | $12,970 | $13,150 | $13,370 | $13,380 | $13,520 | $14,030 | $13,620 | $13,190 | $13,120 | $12,970 | |
| Room and Board | $7,720 | $7,850 | $7,970 | $8,070 | $8,070 | $8,240 | $8,540 | $8,730 | $8,850 | $8,970 | $9,090 | $9,310 | $9,230 | $9,790 | $10,060 | $10,090 | |
| Public Four-Year In-State | |||||||||||||||||
| Published Tuition and Fees | $4,280 | $4,380 | $4,490 | $4,560 | $4,590 | $4,790 | $5,140 | $5,710 | $6,110 | $6,350 | $6,440 | $6,710 | $6,770 | $7,400 | $7,890 | $8,240 | |
| Net Tuition and Fees | $1,910 | $1,750 | $1,500 | $1,450 | $1,340 | $1,340 | $1,470 | $1,860 | $2,120 | $2,340 | $2,320 | $2,430 | $2,310 | $2,030 | $2,190 | $2,490 | |
| Room and Board | $6,000 | $6,130 | $6,260 | $6,390 | $6,440 | $6,710 | $6,990 | $7,230 | $7,460 | $7,660 | $7,810 | $7,990 | $7,980 | $8,560 | $8,860 | $8,890 | |
| Public Two-Year In-State | |||||||||||||||||
| Published Tuition and Fees | $2,110 | $2,210 | $2,150 | $2,230 | $2,150 | $2,050 | $2,100 | $2,350 | $2,480 | $2,520 | $2,520 | $2,490 | $2,440 | $2,680 | $2,830 | $2,960 | |
| Net Tuition and Fees | $510 | $290 | -$220 | -$250 | -$370 | -$560 | -$560 | -$390 | -$220 | -$60 | $30 | $20 | -$440 | -$810 | -$950 | -$810 | |
| Room and Board | $6,400 | $6,550 | $6,690 | $6,830 | $7,000 | $6,910 | $7,150 | $6,910 | $6,960 | $6,910 | $7,260 | $7,490 | $7,310 | $7,500 | $7,650 | $7,410 | |
Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. Net tuition and fees are calculated by subtracting estimated average grant aid plus tax benefits per full-time student in the sector from the published price. Aggregate aid amounts are from Trends in Student Aid 2010. Division of total aid across sectors and between full-time and part-time students is based on the NPSAS, 1993 through 2008.
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