Recent historical trends (1976-77 through 1981-82) in tuition and required fee charges in New Jersey colleges and universities are presented. Differences among New Jersey collegiate sectors and among different student types are analyzed in terms of dollar and percentage increases between the current and base years. The effect of the most recent increases on the overall six-year changes are examined, and the six-year percentage increases are considered in the context of inflation and increases in family and per capita disposable income, as well as New Jersey student financial aid ceiling. Analysis of the financial data reveal: the growth in student charges at public institutions in the past six years has been lower than the estimated inflation rate for the period; average undergraduate student charges at the independent colleges actually grew (in constant dollar terms) during the same period; gains in various measures of family and disposable per capita income in New Jersey, as well as increased financial aid ceiling, suggest that a relatively low cost (to the student) of attending college in New Jersey is being maintained; total percentage increase between 1976-77 and 1981-82 were most pronounced in the independent sector, ranging from 54 to 63 percent; in the public four-year colleges overall, increases ranged from 34 to 41 percent, depending on student type and residency. Appendices contain detailed historical data by college sector and student type (full- and part-time, undergraduate and graduate, state resident, and nonresident). (SW)