Why has college tuition more expensive than in the past?

Question

I recently read that between 1996 and 2006 college tuition in the USA increased an average of 80% while prices in general only increased 30% in that period. Why? Where is the extra money raised going to?

Answer 1

The cost of health care benefits to the full time staff at the college have increased tremendously.  Probably by about 80% in the 10 years you are talking about.  The cost of utilities has also increased a great deal.  In 96 and before, computer labs needing 50+ internet cables and these wireless network features didn't exist.  Neither did the opportunity to register "online" or pay for classes online, take the classes online, view college catalogs, schedules, apply for campus jobs, print your unoffical or order your transcript.

get emergency campus alerts via your cell phone or campus assigned email and personal webspace.  

These jobs are professional jobs and require more training and thus cost the college more money in salary and beniefts then the old days of hiring a cheap clerk at $3.00 an hour to write out a receipt for a tution payment in person.

These conviences take money to set up and maintain.  People don't realize how far we have come from where we were 10 years ago for the price of convience.

Answer 2

Because education has become big business and there are profits to be made.