Tuition Continues to Rise, but Patterns Vary by Institution Type, Enrollment & Educational Expenditures

Report by the Government Accountability Office published Nov. 28, 2007

As higher education becomes increasingly important in our society, 90% of the fastest growing jobs requires a college degree or other post-secondary education. College tuition is rising annually and a major concern is that lower income and minority individuals may be unable to pursue a higher education. In spite of efforts to hold down tuition by government, private initities, and higher education institutions themselves, tuition continues to rise.
The Government Accountability Office was asked by Congress to investigate and report on the following: 1) enrollment patterns over the last decade and any relationship to race 2) types of schools with highest enrollment and any relationship to race 3) tuition and fee increases in different types of institutions 4) association of increased tuition and fees and increased spending by institutions on education.
Findings:
1) More students are enrolled in post-secondary education than ever before
2) The percent of minority students is increasing (from 1996-2006, there was a 19% increase in minority students)
3) Hispanic students increased the most
4) Some minority groups had greater percent enrolled in 2 year schools (Hispanic - 60% and Asia/Pacific Islander, Black, Alaskan Native - 50%)
5) The average tuition increased in all types of schools
6) Private schools increased the most in dollars and public schools increased the most in percentage points
7) The increases in average tuition were matched or exceeded by increases in institutional spending on education in private schools but not in public schools.

Source: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-245 accessed on Oct. 14, 2009