The Education System
The rising cost of a degree and the shifting value proposition of higher ed.
While a bachelor's degree remains the most reliable path to the middle class, the cost of attendance has outpaced inflation for four decades. Student loan debt now sits at over $1.7 trillion.
K-12 Disparities
Because public schools are largely funded by local property taxes, educational outcomes are heavily zip-code dependent. The gap in reading proficiency between high-income and low-income districts widened significantly following the pandemic.
| Institution Type | Avg Annual Cost (Tuition+Fees) |
|---|---|
| Public 4-Year (In-State) | $10,940 |
| Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) | $28,240 |
| Private 4-Year | $39,400 |