Investigating the education economy
Labor share of GDP fell from 58% to 51.4%. Cost to median household: $12,000/year. The data doesn't lie.
$1.77 trillion in student debt. The loan system funds institutional expansion while graduates carry the risk. The Bennett Hypothesis is real.
July 11, 2026Entry-level hiring down 35.8%. 66% of enterprises cutting junior roles. The pipeline that trained the middle class for 80 years is broken.
July 11, 2026Not closing. Hollowing out. Enrollment 30-50% of peak. Faculty 70% adjunct. The slow death nobody is tracking.
July 11, 202667% drop in junior dev postings. 'Learn a trade' is now #1 career advice on X. The fastest advice shift in a generation.
July 11, 2026The endowment grew 9.6% last year. Tuition still went up. Where the money actually goes.
July 11, 2026Paying for access is how elite admissions works for everyone who isn't being prosecuted.
July 11, 2026Coming Next
The College Marketing Budget Is Bigger Than the Instruction Budget at Most Schools
Research in progress · July 2026
While the traditional education system crumbles, alternative credentials are booming. We track which ones are worth your money.