The College Board’s annual report shows published tuition and fees rose modestly for 2025–26: in-state public four‑year sticker prices increased about 2.9 percent while private four‑year published prices climbed roughly 4 percent. Net prices paid by many students have fallen, however, as grant aid and larger Pell awards have offset sticker increases. The report highlighted divergent decade-long trends: inflation-adjusted tuition at public institutions declined while private nonprofit four-year prices ticked up slightly. Pell grant growth—recipient totals rose to roughly 7.3 million—helped hold down net costs for many low‑income students. Community colleges also saw modest published-price increases; the average two-year in‑district sticker rose 2.7 percent for 2025–26 but grant aid continues to cover tuition for many full-time students. Clarification: “Sticker price” refers to published tuition and required fees before scholarships and grants are applied.