Report: College Tuition Has More Than Doubled, Outpacing Inflation Over Past 30 Years

[Geee]

Free Beacon:

College tuition has more than doubled in the past 30 years and has outpaced inflation by 2 to 4 percent, according to a report from the American Action Forum.

 

The report calls into question colleges’ claims that reduced state funding and enrollment growth are responsible for increased tuition rates.

 

“What’s unclear is if these arguments alone can account for more than three decades of tuition hikes,” the report states. “In particular, budget cuts to higher education are a relatively recent development, as state and federal funding showed steady growth prior to the 2009 recession.”

 

According to the report, every state has increased state tuition rates and on average the net price for college has grown by more than $6,000.

 

Two economics professors from the University of Missouri and Indiana University developed an economic model to evaluate whether federal financial aid policies, labor market trends, and other changes to college funding sources have any effect on the rise in college tuition costs.