>In the late 1980s and early 1990s, colleges discovered that the appearance of high tuition was good for marketing.
I believe the re-vamped FAFSA aid system also had a big impact in that time frame[0]. The article barely mentions student loans, but having nearly unlimited education loans that can't be discharged in bankruptcy, along with more generous income tax credits for higher education, certainly has fueled some of the tuition growth.
Interestingly, male college-age students are no longer required to register for the draft (Selective Service) before applying for federal aid.
[0]" When Congress reauthorized the HEA in 1992 they created a standardized federal form for all prospective students seeking aid. The stated goal of FAFSA and other government funded education programs was to create equal opportunities for students seeking higher education."