(FORTUNE Magazine) – Since 1973 the real cost of a Harvard degree has risen at a 2.6% annual rate. But the cost of eggs has actually declined 5.1%. And stop barking about the high cost of movie tickets -- down 0.6% annually.

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE CREDIT: SOURCES: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, HARVARD, AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, MOTION PICTURE ASSN. OF AMERICA, N.Y. TRANSIT MUSEUM, SEARS, AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSN., HARRIS-TEETER SUPERMARKETS, U.S. POSTAL SERVICE CAPTION: NO CAPTION