Higher Ed’s Affordability Problem Isn’t Just the Price
A recent report by the Strada Education Foundation found that most higher education consumers feel they lack an accurate understanding of true college costs due to opaque pricing practices. The average net cost of college has barely changed over the past decade, despite growing public concerns about affordability.
Public support for US colleges and universities has eroded due to concerns about affordability and the value of a college degree. A survey found that the share of parents who preferred a postsecondary degree program for their child fell from 74% in 2019 to 58% in 2025. Despite this, the average net cost of college has remained relatively stable over the past decade. A 2022 Government Accountability Office study found that 91% of colleges understate or omit the net price in offer letters, leading to public misperception. A new report by the Strada Education Foundation found that over two-thirds of parents and students believed college cost communication was confusing. The report suggests that opaque pricing practices contribute to public mistrust of higher education institutions.
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