This paper is an empirical analysis of the rise in tuition costs across the United States. Schools of the Business Research Consortium of Western New York are compared to similar universities and national averages. In nominal terms, tuition costs have skyrocketed since 1970. The price tag associated with higher education is staggering. This study looks at the change in real cost of college over the last fifty years. The study compares the change in starting salaries for college graduates and the increase in tuition costs. Next the study compares net costs of tuition across the Business Research Consortium with similar schools across different regions of the United States. Actual net costs of tuition are compared across time. How will the Excelsior program affect the college landscape? Is Western New York indicative of the general population? These questions are explored; perhaps the preponderance of affordable online education will become the new norm. This paper attempts to unravel issues surrounding the high cost of tuition.