Report shows college tuition steadily increasing

Nationwide college tuition costs have continued to rise this fall and students are relying more on federal aid, according to two recent College Board reports.

Public four-year schools, many of which have suffered at the hands of state budget cuts, have seen their average in-state tuition and fees this fall rise 7.9 percent, $555, to $7,605. The average cost of attendance at private schools has increased 4.5 percent, $1,164, to $27,293.

As the cost of attending college rises, expanded federal aid is helping to keep the cost in check for many students. Tax credits, veterans’ benefits and a record expansion of the Pell Grant program for low-income students – an increase of almost $10 billion from the year before – are able to moderately hold down the net tuition and fees.