I’m a college president, and I think higher education has to do a better job of controlling costs
Preview:
Public skepticism about college is less about whether a degree has value and more about whether universities have earned the prices they charge. Rebuilding trust requires disciplined stewardship, with presidents challenging costs before raising tuition and cutting bureaucracy before financing it. The University of Arizona offers a model, holding resident tuition flat for three years while eliminating a $177 million deficit, and states should reward flagship publics that deliver measurable results.
Originally published: September 16, 2026
Author: Suresh V. Garimella
Position: President
Institution: University of Arizona
Published by: The Hechinger Report