Average Sticker Prices at Public Colleges Rise Less than Inflation; Grant Aid Brings Average Net Tuition at Public 4-Year Colleges Below $2,000

College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid Report 2026, released today, shows that average published in-district and in-state tuition and fees increased by less than 3% at public two-year and four-year colleges in 2026-27, before adjusting for inflation. Additionally, the research found that grants and scholarships substantially reduced what many students pay, living expenses remain a significant part of college costs, and loan repayment continues to pose challenges for borrowers.   

“About 70% of full-time undergraduate students receive grant aid that reduces the actual cost of attending college,” said Jessica Howell, College Board’s vice president of research. “Families need clear net price information early in the college application process.” 

The report tracks college prices, financial aid, and borrowing across public two-year, public four-year, and private nonprofit four-year institutions. Published since 1983, College Board’s Trends reports provide data for journalists, researchers, policymakers, and college access professionals studying college affordability.    

"This year’s tuition increases continue a pattern we’ve seen for more than 10 years,” said Jennifer Ma, executive director of Policy Research at College Board and coauthor of the report. “After adjusting for inflation, average tuition and fees have declined in the public sectors and remained unchanged in the private nonprofit four-year sector over the last decade.”  

Among the report’s findings:   

• In 2026-27, average published tuition and fees are $12,290 for in-state students at public 4-year colleges, up $350, or 2.9%, from the previous year; $32,730 for out-of-state students at public 4-year colleges, up $1,110, or 3.5%; $4,210 for in-district students at public two-year colleges, up $100, or 2.4%; and $46,350 at private nonprofit 4-year colleges, up $1,640, or 3.7%. These annual increases are before adjusting for inflation.    
• Living expenses add considerably to college budgets. Before financial aid, average annual budgets, or costs of attendance, for 2026-27 are $22,000 for in-district students at public 2-year colleges, $32,030 for in-state students and $52,470 for out-of-state students at public 4-year colleges, and $67,610 at private nonprofit 4-year colleges. Those figures include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and other expenses.    
• Grants bring average tuition costs well below published prices. Estimated average net tuition and fees for first-time, full-time, in-state students at public 4-year colleges have fallen from $4,600 in 2012-13, expressed in 2026 dollars, to $1,920 in 2026-27. At private nonprofit 4-year colleges, estimated average net tuition and fees are $17,280. At public 2-year colleges, average grant aid has covered tuition and fees since 2009-10.  The estimated average net costs of attendance for 2026-27 are $16,230 for public 2-year in-district students, $21,660 for public 4-year in-state students, and $38,540 for private nonprofit 4-year students.  
• Published tuition varies widely by state. Average in-district tuition and fees at public 2-year colleges range from $1,440 in California to $8,950 in Vermont. At public 4-year institutions, average in-state tuition and fees range from $6,360 in Florida to $18,710 in New Jersey.    
• In 2025-26, about two-thirds of the $285.8 billion of student aid was in the form of grants and scholarships.  
• Between 2022-23 and 2025-26, the number of Pell Grant recipients increased by 25% (from 6.0 million to 7.5 million), and total Pell Grant expenditures increased by 32% (from $29.9 billion to $39.5 billion), after adjusting for inflation.  
• Fewer students are borrowing. 22 percent of undergraduates took out new Federal Direct Loans in 2025-26, down from 31% a decade earlier. Among 2024-25 bachelor’s degree recipients at public and private nonprofit 4-year colleges, 47% graduated with debt, compared with 55% five years earlier.    
• More borrowers are in default. 21 percent of borrowers are in default, up from 18% in 2019.   

Students and families who want to know what these data mean for them can use College Board’s BigFuture to explore colleges, find scholarships, and learn about financial aid. BigFuture also connects families with MyinTuition cost estimators at participating colleges, which will help them estimate what they might pay after aid.  

Find the full report and other College Board Research.

Contact 
College Board Communications 
[email protected] 

About College Board 
College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org. 

About College Board Research 
The Research Department generates data and evidence on the impact of educational programs, assessments, and initiatives on students and various education stakeholders. For further information and publications, visit research.collegeboard.org.