After adjusting for inflation, tuition at U.S. public and private colleges has approximately doubled over the 30-year period ending in 2025.
November 24, 2025
high
temporal
Long-term trend in college tuition costs reported in NPR's Cost of Living series.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a primary mechanism through which colleges and universities determine and provide financial aid packages to incoming students, and the U.S. Department of Education provides support for people completing the FAFSA.
November 18, 2025
high
structural
Role of FAFSA in college financial aid and Department of Education support services.