The claim of this article that real college prices are not increasing is at odds with the well-known fact that student loan debt at graduation has been rising steadily, especially relative to income: https://educationdata.org/average-student-loan-debt-by-year

There has certainly been more sticker price growth than real price growth due to scholarships/aid but this article is the first I've read to assert that the real price growth isn't there. And I definitely know many people who paid the full sticker price at elite schools (they were lucky to have families who can afford it, so not too much pity necessary).

Here's an older but very good article around why colleges raise prices to levels they know they'll need to subsidize: https://www.conradbastable.com/essays/the-uncharity-of-colle...