The initial year is 2009, which means in 2018 the value of x is 9, that is, we have to calculate the cost after 9 years. So, to find the answer, evaluate the equation when x = 9.
[tex]\begin{gathered} y=760x+14,600 \\ y=760(9)+14,600 \\ y=6,840+14,600 \\ y=21,440 \end{gathered}[/tex]Therefore, the cost of attending a four-year public college in 2018 is predicted to be $21,440.