Education Cost Crisis by Gideon Fairchild

Education Cost Crisis examines the growing unaffordability of higher education in the United States, revealing its broad societal implications.
The book analyzes the economic factors driving tuition increases, such as declining state funding and rising administrative costs.
Interestingly, the perception of higher education has shifted from a public good to a private benefit, significantly impacting funding priorities.
This shift contributes to increased student debt, delayed life milestones, and the perpetuation of economic inequality.

The book adopts an interdisciplinary approach, blending economics, sociology, and public policy to provide a holistic analysis.
Beginning with core concepts of educational economics, it progresses to analyzing the drivers of rising costs using econometric analysis and IPEDS data.
It then explores the impact on student debt and labor market outcomes, concluding with an evaluation of potential policy solutions like tuition caps and income-based repayment plans.

It challenges the notion that individual responsibility alone can overcome financial barriers, advocating for systemic solutions to ensure equitable access to higher education.