Many state universities have been raising tuition like crazy because of state budget cuts.
Believe me, it is not the for-profit institutions that are driving the debt. All the colleges have been raising tuitions because the money is there, and there are no tangible restraints. The money from raising tuitions at the college where I taught did not go to faculty salaries: I can testify to that. It seems to have gone to ever-expanding administration, including huge salaries for officials and their staff and offices.
At the time, as I watched this, all I could thought was: I think I know where the next bubble is going to be.
Trust me, they’re still a bargain compared to the for-profit schools.
Bingo! You'd be amazed at how many unfunded mandates are imposed on state universities by the state legislature.