I’m a college president, and I think higher education has to do a better job of controlling costs

This story on college cost was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet focused on education.

Every fall, millions of American parents and caregivers make extraordinary sacrifices to send a child to college. They work overtime, postpone retirement, take on debt or set aside other priorities because they believe higher education can create opportunities they never had.

Students make sacrifices too. Many work nights and weekends, juggle family responsibilities or borrow against their future because they believe a college degree is worth it.

Those sacrifices deserve accountability. And it’s time for colleges to provide it.

For too long, colleges and universities have responded to growing public skepticism by defending the value ...