Last year, education prices rose by the most in 15 years. The increase was driven by tuition hikes at about 7 out of 10 four-year universities.
According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics (MODS) on the 16th, last year's education price inflation rate was 2.3%. It was the highest rate since 2010 (2.3%).
The education price inflation rate was 2.5% in 2009, but since 2011 it has generally hovered around the 1% range. That is because most universities have frozen tuition since the "half-price tuition" movement in 2012.
Last year's rise in education prices was led by tuition hikes at private universities. According to the Ministry of Education, 136 out of 193 four-year general and teachers' colleges, or 70.5%, raised tuition last year.
In detail, private university fees rose 4.5% from a year earlier. Public university fees increased 0.8%.
In addition, e-learning fees (9.4%), home study materials (4.4%), sports academy fees (4.3%), junior college fees (3.3%), job-training academy fees (3.2%), and private graduate school fees (3.1%) were all higher than the overall inflation rate.
This year, the inflationary trend from university tuition increases is also expected to continue. According to the Korean Council for University Education (private universities), 125 of 190 four-year universities (65.8%) have decided to raise tuition this year.