What if Household Goods Inflated at the Rate of College Tuition?

TuitionRates

Share this infographic on your site!

When most people hear “1984”, they think of a dystopia. However, there is at least one reason for parents, high school students and their big brothers to pine after 1984: the real cost of college tuition. In the last 30 years, college tuition has increased by 152.7% for private 4-year institutions, and 232.4% for public 4-year institutions AFTER adjusting for inflation. 

Average cost of tuition in 1984:

  • Public: $2,300
  • Private: $6,217
Average cost of tuition today:

  • Public: $18,172
  • Private: $37,343

To put those numbers in perspective, here’s a list of common household items and what they would cost if their prices had escalated at the same rate.

KEY:

  • White: Price of good in 1984
  • Blue: Price if good inflated at the rate of private tuition
  • Red: Price if good inflated at the rate of public tuition
Gallon of Milk

  • White: $2.26
  • Blue: $13.58
  • Red: $17.86
Mac Computer

  • White: $2,495
  • Red:  $19,715
One Movie Ticket

  • White: $3.36
  • Blue: $20.19
  • Red: $26.55
One Dozen Eggs

  • White: $1.30
  • Blue: $7.81
  • Red: $10.27
Average House

  • White: $86,730
  • Blue: $521,036
  • Red: $685,306

Other Household Goods

Bread

  • $0.71
  • $4.27
  • $5.61
Ground Beef

  • $1.72
  • $10.33
  • $13.59
Chicken Breasts

  • $1.72
  • $10.33
  • $13.59
Coffee

  • $2.49
  • $14.96
  • $19.67
Gallon of Gasoline

  • $1.27
  • $7.63
  • $10.04
Bacon

  • $1.81
  • $10.87
  • $14.30
Potato Chips

  • $2.49
  • $14.96
  • $19.67

* Goods in Pounds, unless otherwise specified

Comments