NEW YORK — The average cost of a high school diploma in Southern states has risen more than $1,200 since 2007, while in California, the price has risen just $100, the latest data shows.
The findings come from a new analysis from the National Center for Education Statistics, which examined data from about 1.2 million students.
For the first time in four years, Southern states have also seen increases in their cost of attendance.
In the U.S., the average cost for a high-school diploma is now $1.09, or 2.3% higher than in 2007, according to the study.
While California remains the state with the most expensive state in the nation, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia have all seen increases.
States that have seen the biggest increases are Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia, the analysis found.
In addition, the average price of attending a public school rose by about $700 in Southern and Central California, by about 2% in California and by 3.6% in Texas.