University Tuition Increase Slows

Here’s a silver lining for college students and their families. U.S. tuition rose, on average, 2.9 percent this year, the smallest increase in 30 years, according to a College Board report published on Wednesday. “This does not mean that college is suddenly affordable,” warned economist Sandy Baum, a co-author of the report. Baum said it appeared that the skyrocketing tuition costs appeared to be “moderating,” but not actually turning around. Public university students felt the pain the most, with tuition increasing 4.5 percent (although still less than 8.5 percent the year before), compared to a 3.5 percent increase at private universities and a 0.5 percent increase at for-profit institutions.