Special Report

The Cost of College the Year You Were Born

adamkaz / iStock via Getty Images

The annual cost of attending a four-year private institution in the United States reached $51,690 last year, more than double what it was less than two decades ago.

For many Americans, a college degree is often regarded as a measure of success, yet a postsecondary education has become cost-prohibitive for many young people, even when they receive financial aid. 

In order to be able to get a degree, millions of students rack up tens of thousands of dollars in debt, sometimes amassing a debt burden that will take decades to fully pay off. (Here are 50 U.S. counties with the most student debt.)

Based on data from the College Board, a nonprofit group associated with American postsecondary institutions, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the average cost nationwide of attending both four-year public and a four-private colleges each year since 1971. Both figures include tuition, fees, and room and board.

In 1971, a four-year education at a private college in the United States cost less than one-tenth what it does today. Even after adjusting for inflation, a year of private college today costs more than two and a half times what it did back then. This means college prices are disproportionately high for potential undergraduates at a wide array of institutions, and not just at the most expensive colleges in every state.

Click here to see the cost of college the year you were born
Click here to see our detailed methodology

Dwayne Bey / Getty Images

1971
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $2,930 (adj. for inflation: $19,450)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $1,410 (adj. for inflation: $9,360)
> Per capita income: $4,471 (adj. for inflation: $29,914)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.4%

[in-text-ad]

Susan Schiff Faludi / Three Lions / Getty Images

1972
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,090 (adj. for inflation: $19,870)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $1,550 (adj. for inflation: $9,970)
> Per capita income: $4,857 (adj. for inflation: $31,486)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.0%

Express Newspapers / Getty Images

1973
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,220 (adj. for inflation: $19,490)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $1,600 (adj. for inflation: $9,690)
> Per capita income: $5,363 (adj. for inflation: $32,730)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.6%

John Downing / Express / Getty Images

1974
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,420 (adj. for inflation: $18,650)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $1,650 (adj. for inflation: $9,000)
> Per capita income: $5,836 (adj. for inflation: $32,077)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 13.3%

[in-text-ad-2]

Express Newspapers / Getty Images

1975
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,680 (adj. for inflation: $18,390)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $1,780 (adj. for inflation: $8,890)
> Per capita income: $6,324 (adj. for inflation: $31,852)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 13.9%

Fortgens Photography / Getty Images

1976
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,980 (adj. for inflation: $18,800)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $1,940 (adj. for inflation: $9,160)
> Per capita income: $6,875 (adj. for inflation: $32,740)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 14.7%

[in-text-ad]

Fortgens Photography / Getty Images

1977
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $4,240 (adj. for inflation: $18,810)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $2,040 (adj. for inflation: $9,050)
> Per capita income: $7,516 (adj. for inflation: $33,607)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.4%

Keystone / Getty Images

1978
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $4,610 (adj. for inflation: $19,010)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $2,150 (adj. for inflation: $8,860)
> Per capita income: $8,356 (adj. for inflation: $34,727)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.7%

yellowsarah / Getty Images

1979
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $5,010 (adj. for inflation: $18,550)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $2,330 (adj. for inflation: $8,630)
> Per capita income: $9,232 (adj. for inflation: $34,457)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 16.4%

[in-text-ad-2]

M. Fresco / Evening Standard / Getty Images

1980
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $5,590 (adj. for inflation: $18,230)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $2,550 (adj. for inflation: $8,320)
> Per capita income: $10,180 (adj. for inflation: $33,477)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.0%

Getty Images

1981
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $6,330 (adj. for inflation: $18,720)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $2,870 (adj. for inflation: $8,490)
> Per capita income: $11,300 (adj. for inflation: $33,685)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.1%

[in-text-ad]

cws_design / Getty Images

1982
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $7,130 (adj. for inflation: $19,860)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,200 (adj. for inflation: $8,910)
> Per capita income: $11,999 (adj. for inflation: $33,693)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.7%

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1983
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $7,760 (adj. for inflation: $20,940)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,430 (adj. for inflation: $9,260)
> Per capita income: $12,698 (adj. for inflation: $34,546)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.8%

bgwalker / Getty Images

1984
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $8,450 (adj. for inflation: $21,860)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,680 (adj. for inflation: $9,520)
> Per capita income: $13,906 (adj. for inflation: $36,267)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.1%

[in-text-ad-2]

cws_design / Getty Images

1985
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $8,900 (adj. for inflation: $22,230)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $3,860 (adj. for inflation: $9,640)
> Per capita income: $14,755 (adj. for inflation: $37,158)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.4%

Getty Images

1986
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $9,850 (adj. for inflation: $24,160)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $4,050 (adj. for inflation: $9,930)
> Per capita income: $15,490 (adj. for inflation: $38,297)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.4%

[in-text-ad]

Getty Images

1987
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $10,460 (adj. for inflation: $24,750)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $4,200 (adj. for inflation: $9,940)
> Per capita income: $16,289 (adj. for inflation: $38,854)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.9%

Tony Duffy / Allsport / Getty Images

1988
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $11,660 (adj. for inflation: $26,490)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $4,460 (adj. for inflation: $10,130)
> Per capita income: $17,455 (adj. for inflation: $39,981)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 20.3%

Tom Kelley Archive / Getty Images

1989
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $12,560 (adj. for inflation: $27,230)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $4,720 (adj. for inflation: $10,230)
> Per capita income: $18,676 (adj. for inflation: $40,812)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.1%

[in-text-ad-2]

GomezDavid / Getty Images

1990
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $13,480 (adj. for inflation: $27,720)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $5,070 (adj. for inflation: $10,430)
> Per capita income: $19,621 (adj. for inflation: $40,679)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.3%

Comstock / Getty Images

1991
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $14,190 (adj. for inflation: $28,000)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $5,450 (adj. for inflation: $10,760)
> Per capita income: $20,030 (adj. for inflation: $39,850)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.4%

[in-text-ad]

Jupiterimages / Getty Images

1992
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $15,030 (adj. for inflation: $28,800)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $5,830 (adj. for inflation: $11,170)
> Per capita income: $21,090 (adj. for inflation: $40,732)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.4%

Comstock / Getty Images

1993
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $15,800 (adj. for inflation: $29,390)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $6,210 (adj. for inflation: $11,550)
> Per capita income: $21,733 (adj. for inflation: $40,754)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.9%

Comstock / Getty Images

1994
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $16,500 (adj. for inflation: $29,930)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $6,620 (adj. for inflation: $12,010)
> Per capita income: $22,575 (adj. for inflation: $41,276)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 22.2%

[in-text-ad-2]

yellowsarah / Getty Images

1995
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $17,380 (adj. for inflation: $30,650)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $6,740 (adj. for inflation: $11,890)
> Per capita income: $23,607 (adj. for inflation: $41,974)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.0%

Comstock / Getty Images

1996
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $18,360 (adj. for inflation: $31,450)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $7,140 (adj. for inflation: $12,230)
> Per capita income: $24,771 (adj. for inflation: $42,780)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.6%

[in-text-ad]

LindaYolanda / Getty Images

1997
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $19,360 (adj. for inflation: $32,420)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $7,470 (adj. for inflation: $12,510)
> Per capita income: $25,993 (adj. for inflation: $43,884)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.9%

Shanina / Getty Images

1998
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $20,460 (adj. for inflation: $33,740)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $7,770 (adj. for inflation: $12,810)
> Per capita income: $27,557 (adj. for inflation: $45,811)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 24.4%

Shanina / Getty Images

1999
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $21,480 (adj. for inflation: $34,660)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $8,080 (adj. for inflation: $13,040)
> Per capita income: $28,693 (adj. for inflation: $46,668)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 25.2%

[in-text-ad-2]

landonarnold / Getty Images

2000
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $22,240 (adj. for inflation: $34,720)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $8,440 (adj. for inflation: $13,170)
> Per capita income: $30,672 (adj. for inflation: $48,265)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 25.6%

Westersoe / Getty Images

2001
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $23,860 (adj. for inflation: $36,210)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $9,030 (adj. for inflation: $13,710)
> Per capita income: $31,617 (adj. for inflation: $48,375)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 26.2%

[in-text-ad]

cws_design / Getty Images

2002
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $24,870 (adj. for inflation: $37,160)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $9,670 (adj. for inflation: $14,450)
> Per capita income: $31,839 (adj. for inflation: $47,957)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 26.7%

Amax Photo / Getty Images

2003
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $26,060 (adj. for inflation: $38,070)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $10,530 (adj. for inflation: $15,380)
> Per capita income: $32,717 (adj. for inflation: $48,181)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.2%

Wolfsburg1984 / Getty Images

2004
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $27,470 (adj. for inflation: $39,090)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $11,380 (adj. for inflation: $16,190)
> Per capita income: $34,280 (adj. for inflation: $49,173)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.7%

[in-text-ad-2]

Altinosmanaj / Getty Images

2005
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $28,740 (adj. for inflation: $39,560)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $12,120 (adj. for inflation: $16,680)
> Per capita income: $35,868 (adj. for inflation: $49,765)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.7%

LSOphoto / Getty Images

2006
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $30,500 (adj. for inflation: $40,670)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $12,840 (adj. for inflation: $17,120)
> Per capita income: $38,120 (adj. for inflation: $51,237)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.0%

[in-text-ad]

lechatnoir / Getty Images

2007
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $31,990 (adj. for inflation: $41,470)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $13,560 (adj. for inflation: $17,580)
> Per capita income: $39,883 (adj. for inflation: $52,122)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.7%

deucee_ / Getty Images

2008
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $33,800 (adj. for inflation: $42,200)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $14,370 (adj. for inflation: $17,940)
> Per capita income: $41,026 (adj. for inflation: $51,633)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.4%

JasonDoiy / Getty Images

2009
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $35,070 (adj. for inflation: $43,940)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $15,240 (adj. for inflation: $19,090)
> Per capita income: $39,356 (adj. for inflation: $49,708)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.5%

[in-text-ad-2]

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

2010
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $36,470 (adj. for inflation: $44,960)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $16,180 (adj. for inflation: $19,940)
> Per capita income: $40,690 (adj. for inflation: $50,564)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.9%

Koh Sze Kiat / Getty Images

2011
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $37,970 (adj. for inflation: $45,370)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $17,160 (adj. for inflation: $20,510)
> Per capita income: $42,783 (adj. for inflation: $51,538)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.4%

[in-text-ad]

DisobeyArt / Getty Images

2012
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $39,450 (adj. for inflation: $46,190)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $17,820 (adj. for inflation: $20,860)
> Per capita income: $44,614 (adj. for inflation: $52,654)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.9%

Kemal Yildirim / Getty Images

2013
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $40,960 (adj. for inflation: $47,260)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $18,380 (adj. for inflation: $21,210)
> Per capita income: $44,894 (adj. for inflation: $52,220)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.7%

Prostock-Studio / Getty Images

2014
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $42,450 (adj. for inflation: $48,200)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $18,930 (adj. for inflation: $21,490)
> Per capita income: $47,017 (adj. for inflation: $53,816)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 32.0%

[in-text-ad-2]

Alex Brandon-Pool / Getty Images

2015
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $43,880 (adj. for inflation: $49,760)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $19,570 (adj. for inflation: $22,190)
> Per capita income: $48,891 (adj. for inflation: $55,895)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 32.5%

Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

2016
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $45,350 (adj. for inflation: $50,790)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $20,150 (adj. for inflation: $22,570)
> Per capita income: $49,812 (adj. for inflation: $56,238)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.4%

[in-text-ad]

Igor Alecsander / Getty Images

2017
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $47,000 (adj. for inflation: $51,540)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $20,790 (adj. for inflation: $22,800)
> Per capita income: $51,811 (adj. for inflation: $57,275)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 34.2%

Anchiy / Getty Images

2018
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $48,290 (adj. for inflation: $51,690)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $21,400 (adj. for inflation: $22,910)
> Per capita income: $54,098 (adj. for inflation: $58,377)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 35.0%

PIKSEL / Getty Images

2019
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $49,870 (adj. for inflation: $52,430)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $21,950 (adj. for inflation: $23,080)
> Per capita income: $56,047 (adj. for inflation: $59,404)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 36.0%

[in-text-ad-2]

Geber86 / Getty Images

2020
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $50,580 (adj. for inflation: $52,530)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $22,290 (adj. for inflation: $23,150)
> Per capita income: $59,510 (adj. for inflation: $62,306)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 37.5%

Fly View Productions / Getty Images

2021
> Private tuition, fees, room & board per year: $51,690 (adj. for inflation: $51,690)
> Public tuition, fees, room & board per year: $22,690 (adj. for inflation: $22,690)
> Per capita income: $00 (adj. for inflation: $00)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 37.9%

Methodology

To determine the cost of college the year you were born, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed historical data on tuition, fees, and room and board from the College Board, a nonprofit organization working on behalf of colleges and universities. Years listed are for the beginning of the academic year. Data on tuition, fees, and room and board for four-year public and private nonprofit schools was adjusted for inflation by the College Board. 

Supplemental data on personal income per capita came from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and was adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index for all urban consumers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on the percentage of adults 25 years and over who have completed at least four years of college came from the Current Population Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.