According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for education are 301.50% higher in 2026 versus 1993 (a $60.30 difference in value).
Between 1993 and 2026: Education experienced an average inflation rate of 4.30% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, education costing $20 in the year 1993 would cost $80.30 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for education was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Education, over time, for $20 beginning in 1993. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | $20.00 | - |
| 1994 | $21.25 | 6.26% |
| 1995 | $22.46 | 5.70% |
| 1996 | $23.65 | 5.28% |
| 1997 | $24.83 | 4.97% |
| 1998 | $26.06 | 4.96% |
| 1999 | $27.30 | 4.76% |
| 2000 | $28.72 | 5.20% |
| 2001 | $30.25 | 5.32% |
| 2002 | $32.15 | 6.29% |
| 2003 | $34.29 | 6.66% |
| 2004 | $36.68 | 6.97% |
| 2005 | $38.96 | 6.23% |
| 2006 | $41.37 | 6.17% |
| 2007 | $43.74 | 5.74% |
| 2008 | $46.26 | 5.77% |
| 2009 | $48.71 | 5.29% |
| 2010 | $50.87 | 4.44% |
| 2011 | $53.02 | 4.23% |
| 2012 | $55.21 | 4.12% |
| 2013 | $57.30 | 3.79% |
| 2014 | $59.19 | 3.29% |
| 2015 | $61.39 | 3.72% |
| 2016 | $63.17 | 2.91% |
| 2017 | $64.62 | 2.30% |
| 2018 | $66.06 | 2.22% |
| 2019 | $67.85 | 2.70% |
| 2020 | $69.09 | 1.84% |
| 2021 | $70.07 | 1.41% |
| 2022 | $71.99 | 2.74% |
| 2023 | $74.19 | 3.06% |
| 2024 | $76.48 | 3.09% |
| 2025 | $79.02 | 3.32% |
| 2026 | $80.30 | 1.62%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Education:
| Year | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 78.367 | 83.275 | 88.025 | 92.675 | 97.283 | 102.108 | 106.967 | 112.533 | 118.517 | 125.967 | 134.358 | 143.717 | 152.667 | 162.083 | 171.388 | 181.277 | 190.857 | 199.337 | 207.768 | 216.328 | 224.521 | 231.914 | 240.535 | 247.526 | 253.211 | 258.839 | 265.840 | 270.731 | 274.555 | 282.070 | 290.707 | 299.677 | 309.631 | 314.643 |