WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tuition and fees for students at four-year public colleges have risen 41% after inflation since 2001, according to an analysis of data contained in a new College Board report released today.  The annual report, entitled "Trends in College Pricing," also shows that the costs of tuition and fees at four-year public colleges have continued to outpace inflation over the last year.  Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA) released a report in April analyzing the increased cost of college tuition in Massachusetts that found tuition and fees at public colleges in Massachusetts increased by more than 70% in the last ten years, and nearly 60% at private colleges in the same time period, both rising at more than twice the rate of inflation.

The College Board report released today found that the average tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities in Massachusetts increased another 4% for the 2006-07 academic year over the previous year, and another 6% for private four-year colleges in Massachusetts over the previous year.

“This report shows that a disheartening trend continues, with the result being that a college education is becoming even farther out of reach for students in Massachusetts and across the country.  This is just further evidence that students continue to face a mounting college affordability crisis,” Congressman Meehan said. 

The College Board's report also shows that students are increasingly relying more on loans to pay for college than on grant aid, like scholarships.  In the 2005-06 school year, grant aid accounted for only 42 percent of total college aid – the lowest share ever.

“The high price of college tuition has skyrocketed, leaving many college graduates saddled with unmanageable debt.  I introduced the College Debt Alleviation Act this year to reduce student debt by allowing families to deduct a higher amount of their taxable income for to finance a college education, and reduce interest rate caps for Federal Stafford FFEL and direct loans, which will significantly reduce monthly debt service payments."

The full text of the report Meehan released in April can be viewed at: http://www.house.gov/meehan/2006MeehanEducationReport.PDF

The College Board's report can be found at: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/press/cost06/trends_college_pricing_06.pdf

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