Cost of College the Year You Were Born

Source: Courtesy of BU Photography / Boston University

1981
> Private tuition, fees, room and board per year: $6,330 (inflation adj.: $17,410)
> Public tuition, fees, room and board per year: $2,870 (inflation adjusted: $7,900)
> Per capita income: $11,326 (inflation adjusted: $27,266)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.1%

24/7 Wall St.
The Highest and Lowest Paying College Majors in America

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1982
> Private tuition, fees, room and board per year: $7,130 (inflation adj.: $18,430)
> Public tuition, fees, room and board per year: $3,200 (inflation adjusted: $8,270)
> Per capita income: $12,021 (inflation adjusted: $27,416)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.7%

Source: Leo Vals / Getty Images

1983
> Private tuition, fees, room and board per year: $7,760 (inflation adj.: $19,580)
> Public tuition, fees, room and board per year: $3,430 (inflation adjusted: $8,650)
> Per capita income: $12,721 (inflation adjusted: $27,829)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.8%

Source: Steve Powell / Getty Images

1984
> Private tuition, fees, room and board per year: $8,450 (inflation adj.: $20,460)
> Public tuition, fees, room and board per year: $3,680 (inflation adjusted: $8,910)
> Per capita income: $13,929 (inflation adjusted: $29,362)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.1%

Source: Getty Images

1985
> Private tuition, fees, room and board per year: $8,900 (inflation adj.: $20,810)
> Public tuition, fees, room and board per year: $3,860 (inflation adjusted: $9,020)
> Per capita income: $14,779 (inflation adjusted: $30,104)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.4%