The Cost and Value of College Education

This chapter explores the changing dynamics of college affordability and student debt for first-year in-state students at public four-year institutions. It contrasts the perceptions of rising tuition costs with the reality of decreasing net costs and increasing debt-free graduation rates. The discussion also examines the implications of socio-economic backgrounds on employment outcomes for various majors, as well as the evolving landscape of educational pathways and the debate over the value of a college degree.