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Inflation Will Hit Universities Hard. Locked-in tuition rates and declining federal largesse will mean less spending flexibility.
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | August 26, 2022 | Richard K. Vedder

Posted on 08/26/2022 12:15:48 PM PDT by karpov

It is indisputable that the U.S. faces the worst inflation in 40 years, an outcome that seemingly no one was predicting a few years ago. The impact on Americans of rapid, unanticipated price increases varies. Retired citizens living on interest income from bonds and fixed pensions are badly hurt, for example, while some others, including owners of inflation hedges like gold, land, or real estate could conceivably profit.

In the short run, colleges and universities will be losers from inflation, partially for reasons peculiar to the workings of higher education. To borrow a term once used to describe slavery, colleges are now America’s “peculiar institution.”

Whereas grocery stores, gas stations, and airlines change their prices weekly or even daily, universities set tuition fees that exist for a minimum of one academic year. If the Consumer Price Index is reasonably correct, each dollar of tuition schools collect this fall was worth around $1.08 (in today’s dollars) a year ago, when university decision-makers decided on fees for the year ahead. The more rapid inflation becomes, the more colleges lose purchasing power.

Aggravating the problem, a few years ago large numbers of colleges embraced a tuition price-guarantee program. Students were guaranteed that the tuition fees in place when they entered school would be maintained for four (or even five) years.

Therefore, it is conceivable that some students will be paying tuition fees, in two to three years, that are 20 percent or more below current levels in inflation-adjusted terms. What seemed to be a good marketing ploy for colleges will now damage their finances.

(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education
KEYWORDS: college; inflation
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1 posted on 08/26/2022 12:15:48 PM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov

Glad to hear it.


2 posted on 08/26/2022 12:16:17 PM PDT by albie
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To: karpov

I’ve extremely limited sympathy.


3 posted on 08/26/2022 12:19:23 PM PDT by glorgau
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To: karpov

Do Colleges and Universities pay taxes?


4 posted on 08/26/2022 12:19:58 PM PDT by frogjerk (I will not do business with fascists)
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To: karpov

They’re ludicrously overpriced as it is.

Dump all the admin, DIE “deans” and other Useless Eaters on the payroll with their Public Administration degrees and the costs go down dramatically.


5 posted on 08/26/2022 12:20:05 PM PDT by Regulator (It's fraud, Jim)
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To: karpov

When the Democrats have One Party Rule everything will be Free anyway no matter what country you live in ,LOL


6 posted on 08/26/2022 12:20:49 PM PDT by butlerweave
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To: karpov

Finally! Some good news on a Friday.


7 posted on 08/26/2022 12:22:43 PM PDT by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: karpov

they’ll just raise the rates


8 posted on 08/26/2022 12:25:05 PM PDT by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
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To: karpov

Universities - lay off your diversity admins and other admins that are not needed (95% of admns). Lay off educational staff teaching course core subjects that are not employable (gender studies, etc).


9 posted on 08/26/2022 12:25:32 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: karpov

China will take care of them.


10 posted on 08/26/2022 12:26:39 PM PDT by jacknhoo ( Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: karpov

Good!


11 posted on 08/26/2022 12:36:38 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…)
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To: karpov

Joe’s little debt forgiveness plan likely shoved a dagger in the university. Pity.


12 posted on 08/26/2022 12:42:35 PM PDT by lurk (u)
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To: Seruzawa

“Finally! Some good news on a Friday.”

I think this is just them trying to justify the high cost of tuition that force students to get loans that us commoners get to pay off for the spoiled brats.

So we are the ones paying the colleges. Harvard has $53 BILLION in endowments. Why does college cost so much?


13 posted on 08/26/2022 12:44:02 PM PDT by MPJackal ("From my cold dead hands.")
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To: lurk

Just the opposite.
I saw a poll of idiot youts who believe this will be an annual event.
They’ll borrow more than ever to spend at uni.


14 posted on 08/26/2022 12:44:07 PM PDT by nascarnation (Let's Go Brandon!)
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To: MPJackal
Why does college cost so much?

Largely because "Big Education" is a money laundering device to Democrat candidates.

15 posted on 08/26/2022 12:45:25 PM PDT by nascarnation (Let's Go Brandon!)
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To: karpov
Harvard has over an $40 billion in endowment, as do many of the top schools. They can afford to "subsidize" their students.

The poorer schools can expect a federal bailout. All they need do is ask. Biden & Pelosi are shoveling money out the door

16 posted on 08/26/2022 12:49:12 PM PDT by Angelino97
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To: karpov

Fire all that huge DEI staff. Last in, first out.


17 posted on 08/26/2022 12:50:44 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free... Galatians 5:1 )
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To: frogjerk
Do Colleges and Universities pay taxes?

They are 99% "Non-Profits" and do not pay almost any taxes (other than employer taxes on their employees salaries and benefits).

18 posted on 08/26/2022 12:51:46 PM PDT by ExSES (the "bottomhttps://youtu.be/ycrqXJYf1SU-line")
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To: karpov

Fine - they can use their billions to handout free tuition - As Kudlow said these institutions are nothing more than hedge funds with a classroom attached.


19 posted on 08/26/2022 12:57:54 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: karpov

May they go bankrupt.


20 posted on 08/26/2022 12:57:56 PM PDT by fretzer
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