College Costs Still Rising, But More Slowly

This year's College Board survey of higher education costs has found that tuitions at U.S. colleges and universities continue to rise, but at a slower pace than in previous years.

Students at public colleges and universities now pay an average of $5,836 in tuition and fees each year, 6.3 per cent more than in 2005.

Students at private schools now pay an average of $22,218, which is 5.9 per cent higher than last year.

The College Board report had even better news for students enrolled at two-year insititutions, where prices grew by only a couple of percentage points. Students eligible for financial aid may actually be paying slightly less to attend community colleges than they did a year ago.

Source: "College Tuition, Fees Up at Four-Year Public Schools," Associated Press, October 24, 2006