Tuition costs have risen 710% since 1983 (statecraft.beehiiv.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the significant rise in tuition costs in the US, with a 710% increase since 1983, leading to a looming economic crisis with $1.78 trillion in outstanding student loan debt. The author explores the factors contributing to this increase, including rising enrollment and cuts in state funding for public colleges. The article also touches on potential solutions, such as canceling some federal student loans and increasing federal support for higher education. The author argues that a comprehensive policy approach is needed to address the issue.

Main themes

• Tuition costs and student debt
• Higher education policy
• Healthcare costs and access
• Government funding and regulation
• Economic inequality and access to education
• Labor market and demographics

What commenters say

• The US healthcare system is expensive due to the high cost of administrative tasks and not just the cost of innovation.
• Increasing government funding for higher education could help reduce tuition costs and improve outcomes.
• The current system of residency for physicians is inefficient and limits the supply of doctors, driving up costs.
• Markets can be a form of rationing, and sometimes alternative rationing strategies are needed to ensure access to essential goods and services.
• The high cost of medical education and residency is a significant burden on physicians and contributes to the high cost of healthcare.
• Government-funded healthcare systems in other countries have been able to control costs and improve outcomes, and a similar approach could work in the US.
• The relationship between the cost of higher education and the value it provides to individuals and society is complex and influenced by many factors, including the labor market and demographics.