Report Shows Increased College Spending and Continued Confidence in Higher Education

The "How America Pays for College 2026" report by Sallie Mae and Ipsos indicates that families spent an average of $34,019 on college in the 2025-26 academic year, an increase from the previous year. Despite rising costs, 91% of families surveyed still view higher education as a valuable investment, with 84% confident in their financial decisions for college.