Rising tuition, stagnant wages, and uneven subsidies are reshaping who can afford higher education.

By Catherine Pagatpat

Tuition fees at public and private universities have steadily climbed over the past decade, often outpacing wage growth and stretching family budgets. In the United States, for example, average tuition at four-year public colleges has risen 35% since 2008, while household incomes have remained largely flat [CBPP].

Governments attempt to offset these costs through grants and subsidies, but funding is inconsistent and frequently insufficient. As a result, families are covering more expenses out of pocket, relying on income and savings rather than loans or aid [Brookings]. In the Philippines, recent studies warn of a financial crisis in higher education, with universities highly dependent on tuition fees and public institutions vulnerable to shifting subsidy levels [[Philippine Institute for Development Studies](https://mb.com.ph/13/1/2025/financial-crisis-threatens-ph-higher-education?)].

What emerges is a troubling pattern: access to higher education is increasingly determined not just by merit, but by financial privilege. Families sacrifice long-term stability to keep their children in school, underscoring the widening gap between opportunity and affordability. This report draws on financial data, government programs, and institutional case studies to explore the real cost of a college degree — and what that means for the future workforce.