Average Private College Tuition: $27,293  When we went to
college, tuition was a Buffalo nickel and a meal could be had
for an eightpence. Sadly, a new survey says that prices are
up—way up. Hope you kids like Home State U!  The annual "Trends
in College Pricing" survey says that prices are up, up, up (well
above the rate of inflation): up 4.5% at private colleges, up
7.9% at public state schools, up 6% at community colleges. You
can still go to a public, in-state college for an average of
$7,600, though.  Average tuition at a private college: $27,293.
Room and board not included.  The paltry silver lining is that
federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and tax credits,
has increased as well, meaning that the net college tuition an
average person pays out of pocket is actually less than it was
in 2005.  Of course, in in 2005 people had money.  [The full
report. College student photo via.]