Due to the recent recession, the economy has forced universities to increase tuition prices. Overall funding for higher education has fallen 14.6 percent since 2008. For most universities, net tuition costs have fallen from an average of three thousand four hundred and fifteen dollars to four thousand five one hundred and forty-six dollars. This represents an increase of 21.1 percent compared to the previous year. (CBS News) The economy is starting to show the impact of how people will choose college. In southern states, most colleges saw an increase of more than 70 percent. And yet, families are going into debt to pay for these increases even as the unemployment rate rises. (Claudio Sanchez.) Parents value higher education because these days, if you don't have college experience or a college degree, career opportunities are limited. Most people want to know where all the money they pay is going. According to Charles Miller, head of the Spelling Commission on the Future of Higher Education: “Get all the money you can get. Spend all the money you can get. Describe how institutions of higher education in the United States have traditionally conducted their business. “Over the years, presidents of research universities have seen a 30 percent increase in their median salary. It increased by 15.5 percent from the previous year, to six hundred and twenty-seven thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars. States do not use their authority to limit revenues to colleges and universities or to hold colleges and universities accountable for producing valued outcomes. . (American Enterprise Institute) Universities are actively seeking any type of funding that will allow them to improve the way they look and/or operate. At the same time, parents are in the middle of paper and always looking to get rid of their used books quickly and inexpensively. Another thing you could potentially save money on is parking. There are a few tricks like parking just close enough to campus, it's not too far to walk but far enough you don't need to pay for a parking permit, then walk the rest of the way. Another solution is that many large campuses have transportation for you, such as buses that transport you from one side of campus to the other. Many students cycle to school. This can save you time like driving a car would, but gives you a little more exercise. (William Swanwick). All of these factors contribute to the true cost of college. Many people even wonder if tuition fees will ever go down. Hopefully then more and more students will attend a four-year university and make higher education a reality for low-income families again..