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College tuition growth has slowed since 1990, but student debt continues to rise

A scholar analyzing historical college tuition data from 1840 to 2020 has found that while tuition has risen significantly since 1980, the growth rate has actually slowed in recent decades compared to earlier periods. Despite this, the increasing cost of higher education, combined with stagnant family income growth, has led to a substantial rise in student loan debt, now impacting over half of all undergraduates. This trend has profound implications for graduates' financial futures and their ability to make major life decisions. AI

RANK_REASON Academic research paper analyzing historical data on college tuition. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.1]

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College tuition growth has slowed since 1990, but student debt continues to rise

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Academic research paper analyzing historical data on college tuition. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.1]
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Fortune TIER_1 English(EN) · Thomas Adam, The Conversation ·

    The real reason college costs 43% of family income isn’t tuition

    A 667-college database spanning 1840 to 2020 shows tuition growth actually slowed after 1990; sticker prices did not drive the affordability crisis.