About this Indicator
The ability to pay for college is measured by the percentage of family income needed to pay the net price of full-time enrollment at public two- and four- year institutions. The average net price is calculated as the total cost of attendance (tuition and fees, books, supplies, and room and board) minus the average institutional, local, state, and federal grant aid. This indicator utilizes median income for families with own children under 18 years old within each racial and ethnic group. The Underrepresented Minority category comprises American Indians, Blacks, Latinos, and Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders.
Data Source
Net price: National Center for Education Statistics. IPEDS: Student financial aid and net price.
Family income: U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey one-year public use microdata sample.
Note. Due to sampling problems that occurred during the 2020 administration of the American Community Survey, the 2020 income levels represent 2019 income adjusted for inflation to 2020.