For the 2005-'06 academic year, estimated annual prices for undergraduate tuition, room and board were $10,454 at public colleges and $26,889 at private colleges. Between the academic years 1995-'96 and 2005-'06, those prices rose by 30 percent at public colleges, and by 21 percent at private colleges, after adjustment for inflation.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics

BUS BUDGETING

During the 2003-'04 school year, 56 percent of students in U.S. public schools were transported at public expense, at an average cost of $684 per pupil in 2005-'06 dollars.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

STUDENTS SUSPENDED

About 46 percent of public schools (approximately 36,800 schools) took serious disciplinary action against a student for specific offenses during the 2003-'04 school year. Of those disciplinary actions, 74 percent were suspensions lasting five days or more, 5 percent were removals with no services (i.e., expulsions), and 21 percent were transfers to specialized schools.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics