The cost of a college education in the United States is rising at a rate faster than inflation. The following table shows the average cost of a college education in the United States during the academic year that began in 2011 and the academic year that began in 2012 for public and private colleges. Assume the costs listed in the table are the only costs experienced by the various college students in a single year.

a. Calculate the cost of living for an average college student in each category for 2011 and 2012.

b. Calculate an inflation rate for each type of college student between 2011 and 2012.

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Two-year public college: commuter Four-year public college: in-state, on-campus Four-year public college: out-of-state, on-campus Four-year private college: on-campus Two-year public college: commuter Four-year public college: in-state, on-campus Four-year public college: out-of-state, on-campus Four-year private college: on-campus Cost of college education during academic year beginning 2011 (averages in 2011 dollars) Other expenses $2,970 $5,552 $1,314 $2,988 7,731 8,831 1,232 3,203 20,823 8,831 1,232 3,203 27,949 9,853 1,238 2,378 Cost of college education during academic year beginning 2012 (averages in 2012 dollars) Tuition and fees Tuition and fees $3,080 8,805 21,706 29,115 Room and board Room and board $5,817 9,183 9,183 10,181 Books and supplies Books and supplies $1,341 1,243 1,243 1,243 Other expenses $3,040 3,253 3,253 2,423