Student Loans May Be Driving the Tuition Explosion

[Igel]

6. Private, selective universities lead the pack.

But that's just leading the pack. Selective public universities are also near the front, esp. if you look at out-of-state tuition. The increase in tuition driven by increased aid is seen from selective, private schools to community colleges. They note that private vocational schools are underrepresented in their data sample.

The other factor is they looked at "sticker price" tuition, not what's actually paid. A lot of those very selective public universities also have reasonable grant and fee-waiver programs. Many schools also have fee structures associated with attendance, require on-campus housing. Student loan packages include those things and living expenses. Most schools required as much as possible--tech fees, insurance, stu-gov fees, wellness center fees, meal plans that included some seriously good food--knowing that student loans and state fee-waivers would cover them.

Link to actual research posted down-thread.