Report Shows Trends in Enrollment, Pricing, and Student Aid

The College Board released its Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2025 report, an annual publication providing cost and financial aid information on students attending college in the U.S.

The report highlights several developments for private, nonprofit four-year colleges and universities. Average net tuition and fees remain lower in real terms than a decade ago, undergraduate enrollment has rebounded to match pre-pandemic levels, and graduate enrollment has steadily increased.

Across higher education, total undergraduate and parent borrowing remain below pre-pandemic levels, while graduate borrowing has increased in line with enrollment growth. Overall, federal student loan totals are substantially lower than a decade ago, and most borrowers still carry relatively low balances.

The average federal loan debt for graduates of private, nonprofit colleges and universities has dropped, in real terms, over the past five years. A smaller share of graduates are leaving these institutions with debt, as schools continue to provide the majority of student grant aid (ranging from 84% to 90% of total grant aid, depending on the type of institution). Nearly all first-time, full-time students at private, nonprofit colleges receive institutional grants that average more than $21,000.

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Jason Ramirez