The cost of educating college students has risen dramatically from the previous generation to the current generation. In terms of real dollars, the cost has risen dramatically from 1976-2007 for students attending private universities.

Here are the changes that have taken place in college costs for students attending public and private universities over the course of one generation:

Public University Private University

1976/77 $1,665                                                $8,580

1981/82 $1,548                                                $9,232

1986/87 $2,030                                                $11,591

1991/92 $2,405                                                $13,913

1996/97 $2,918                                                $16,055

2001/02 $3,093                                                $18,034

2006/07 $4,101                                                $19,991

With the exception of the academic year 1981/82, when costs for attending a public university actually decreased, there has been a steady rise in the cost of educating Americans. Public university students paid an average of $2,436 more for their yearly tuition than students who attended college during the 1976/77 academic year. Private university students saw an average rise in yearly tuition of $11,411 over the same 30-year time period. Private university students in 1976/77 paid about $8,580 while students at the same universities paid an average of $19,991 thirty years later.

There are also dramatic differences in how states spend their education monies per capita. The bar code above illustrates the ranking for each state in elementary/secondary school spending as compared to higher education spending.

Alabama is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $814 per student.

Alaska is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $864 per student.

Arizona is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $580 per student.

Arkansas is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $678 per student.

California is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $668 per student.

Colorado is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $668 per student.

Connecticut is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $606 per student.

Delaware is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $1,011 per student.

Florida is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $412 per student.

Georgia is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $484 per student.

Hawaii is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $728 per student.

Idaho is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $607 per student.

Illinois is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $578 per student.

Indiana is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $685 per student.

Iowa is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $927 per student.

Kansas is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $875 per student.

Kentucky is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $654 per student.

Louisiana is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $572 per student.

Maine is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $541 per student.

Maryland is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $721 per student.

Massachusetts is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $551 per student.

Michigan is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $822 per student.

Minnesota is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $658 per student.

Mississippi is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $732 per student.

Missouri is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $529 per student.

Montana is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $708 per student.

Nebraska is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $821 per student.

Nevada is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $470 per student.

New Hampshire is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $579 per student.

New Jersey is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $562 per student.

New Mexico is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $958 per student.

New York is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $506 per student.

North Carolina is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $888 per student.

North Dakota is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $1,041 per student.

Ohio is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $621 per student.

Oklahoma is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $735 per student.

Oregon is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $796 per student.

Pennsylvania is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $534 per student.

Rhode Island is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $559 per student.

South Carolina is ranked 21-30 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 31-40 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $649 per student.

South Dakota is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $555 per student.

Tennessee is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 41-50 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $472 per student.

Texas is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $665 per student.

Utah is ranked 41-50 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $935 per student.

Vermont is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $1,066 per student.

Virginia is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $697 per student.

Washington is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $742 per student.

West Virginia is ranked 31-40 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 21-30 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $692 per student.

Wisconsin is ranked 11-20 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 11-20 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $813 per student.

Wyoming is ranked 1-10 in elementary and secondary school spending and ranks 1-10 in higher education spending per capita with an average expenditure of $956 per student.