Since the early 1980's, college prices have been rising steadily, at two to three times the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Since 1980, through this year, after adjusting for inflation, the average tuition of the nation's 4-yr public institutions has increased by nearly 128%. For the private 4-year institutions, tuition prices have increased by over 130%. The College Board reports that private college tuition rose most sharply in the early and mid 1980's, while public tuition increase most in the late 1980's and early 1990's. These trends have continued into the 2000’s.