In addition to the individual benefits of earning a college degree. investing in and producing more collegeeducated Americans is vital to our Nations growth. Economists estimate that the increases in the education level of the U.S. labor force between 1915 and 1999 directly resulted in at least 23 percent of the overall growth in U.S. productivity. Unfortunately. the cost of a college education is far out of reach for many American students and is hitting poor families the hardestnot just those from povertystricken areas but those who come from family farms and those who may be new immigrants. According to the College Board. the inflationadjusted. real increase in tuition. fees. and room and board at public colleges over the last 5 years has been 2 percent. At 4year private schools. the same costs have increased by 17 percent.
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