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JB Holston's avatar

Thanks for this. Worth noting that net cost of room and board has gone up beyond inflation over the same time frame, so total cost of attendance increases vs. inflation is a somewhat different story (at least through 2020; https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-room-board-at-college) . Also, institutions seem to continue this fig-leaf on tuition pricing in part 'cause no one wants to be honest first -- which is probably smart 'game-theory' for any but the top 10 universities....

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David Smith's avatar

Such an important topic and so well written. I think this advertised price vs. actual price is really hurting families and higher education as a whole. More parents with young children can now breezily dismiss the idea of their kids going to anything other than a low-cost college or maybe not even going to college - they'd never be able to afford $50 or $100,000 a year that college costs. You can scratch this myth of pretty easily and see the truth, but I think increasing anti-intellectualism or the real or perceived lack of social mobility may also be something going on here. With future college costs conveniently out of the way, your family can then spend $5,000 a year on Disney World freely and happily.

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