Chart of the Week: Rise in Real College Costs

Since 1980, the average real cost of attending a 4-year public institution (tuition, fees and room and board) has more than doubled, going from $6300 per year to just over $14,000 in 2009. At private institutions, the real cost has gone up by close to 150% in the same period, rising from $13,700 per year to $33,400.