The article examines the American myth of upward mobility and how education, particularly college, has often been viewed as a route to economic advancement. The rising costs of higher education are attributed to state disinvestment, political ideologies against funding public colleges, and administrative bloat within universities. The author argues that as the financial burdens increasingly fall on students, the quality and accessibility of education suffer, contrasting the story of upward mobility with the harsh realities faced by many in pursuing higher education.
While college has never been cheap, the increase in the cost of higher education has outpaced inflation due to state disinvestment and administrative bloat.
Some of this is ideological: Republicans tend to oppose funding public colleges, preferring to channel money into private profits.
There is massive administrative bloat in higher education, with an increase in the number of deans and vice presidents, contributing to rising costs.
The weakening of public education pushes students towards for-profit colleges, increasing financial burdens on students and their families.
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