Are College Tuitions Peaking?

(from NPR) Several broad trends suggest that the long rise in U.S. college tuitions is slowing, if not nearing its end. These include the fact that net tuition rose (only) in line with inflation over the last year, along with declining overall enrollment leading to deeper discounts, and the proliferation of "free" tuition programs in more than half the states.

Asked whether the trend is real, several education experts expressed a variety of opinions, including:

• It's too early to say, and besides, tuitions will increase if the administration succeeds in "unleashing the for-profit" student loan industry.
• The real issue is inequity. Because tuition is just one element of college costs, aid should be targeted to "our neediest students."
• "Free" college isn't necessarily free. Many of the cited state programs exclude the students who need it most — e.g., have low enough incomes to qualify for Pell grants, or attend school part-time because they have families to support.
• The strengthening economy could fuel more tuition hikes. Where colleges should really be focusing is on reducing their underlying costs.