Originally Posted by Wren
I agree with Bostonian. Although at the rate of tuition acceleration, I am estimating 150K per year in 8 years for an top college.
That looks high. College costs have been rising faster than inflation by about 2 to 5% a year. Assuming a general inflation rate of 2% and college inflation rate of 7%, the $60K cost today would grow "only" to $60000 * (1.07^8) = $103,091 . A college inflation rate of 5% (slightly higher than recent college inflation) results in a future annual cost of $88,647. Here is some data from the College Board.

http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/college-pricing-2012-full-report_0.pdf

Trends in College Pricing, 2012

PUBLISHED TUITION AND FEE AND
ROOM AND BOARD CHARGES
Average published tuition and fees for in‑state
students at public four‑year colleges and
universities increased from $8,256 in 2011‑12
to $8,655 in 2012‑13. The 4.8% ($399) increase
in tuition and fees was accompanied by a
$325 (3.7%) increase in room and board charges
for students living on campus. At $9,205, room
and board charges account for more than half of
the total charges for these students.
• Average published tuition and fees for out-of-state students at
public four-year institutions rose by $883 (4.2%), from $20,823 in
2011-12 to $21,706 in 2012-13. Average total charges are $30,911.
• Average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit
four-year institutions rose by $1,173 (4.2%), from $27,883 to
$29,056 in 2012-13. Average total charges are $39,518.
• Average published tuition and fees at public two-year colleges
increased by $172 (5.8%), from $2,959 in 2011-12 to $3,131 in
2012-13.
• Estimated average tuition and fees for full-time students in the
for-profit sector increased by about $435 (3.0%), from $14,737
in 2011-12 to $15,172 in 2012-13.
• Published prices at public four-year institutions rose more
rapidly between 2002-03 and 2012-13 than over either of
the two preceding decades, but the average annual rate
of increase in inflation-adjusted tuition and fees at private
nonprofit four-year institutions declined from 4.6% from
1982-83 to 1992-93, to 3.0% from 1992-93 to 2002-03, and
to 2.4% over the most recent decade