Overview
- The Strada Education Foundation said most people still see college as worth it, yet trust drops when prices are hard to parse.
- Among college students, 68% reported trouble calculating the true cost of attendance.
- Confusing aid shifts views of intent, with 76% saying “very confusing” offers mean colleges care more about money than education.
- Sticker prices often mislead because schools discount tuition, and private colleges averaged a 52% discount in 2024.
- Schools are testing tuition resets and clearer award letters, with 754 pledging improvements, though experts warn market signals and antitrust rules hinder broad change.