Historical trends from 1976-77 through 1980-81 in tuition and required fee charges in New Jersey colleges and universities are examined. The overall five-year percentage changes in average annual tuition/fees in the different New Jersey collegiate sectors are outlined for different types of students (full-time and part-time, undergraduate and graduate, state resident and nonresident). The varying rates of increase in different collegiate sectors are also addressed. The percentage increases in tuition/fees is examined in light of consumer price and college operating cost increases. Furthermore, higher student costs (in 1980-81 compared with 1976-77) are viewed in relation to students' ability to pay for them. Comparative tuition and required fees data for New Jersey and 14 comparable states are presented. A major conclusion is that tuition/fees increases in New Jersey colleges (with the exception of the independent sector) have been modest when compared with other price increases and students' ability to pay (as measured by family income and financial aid ceilings). Another finding is that New Jersey public senior colleges may become more attractive to out-of-state students in respect to price, since nonresident charges have increased less than resident charges. This potential price advantage is illustrated further by New Jersey's relatively low nonresident tuition and required fees in comparison with those in other states. Within the independent institutional sector, undergraduates were harder hit than gradutate students, but increased student charges essentially have kept pace with inflation. Appended are 16 tables containing detailed historical data for New Jersey colleges upon which the summary tables shown in the text were based. Each table displays five-year data on tuition and required fees by specific college, sector, and type of student. (SW)