> Cutting their tuition price would actually decrease the perceived value of the degree, and thus lower the demand for their product.
Even if you accept this as true (which is interesting but is also a bit of a stretch), it certainly doesn't explain why tuition consistently rises at a rate several times that of inflation. The latter items certainly do.
Customers (students) have been allowed easy access to student loans, which makes them less picky about price differentials and closes the loop. Closing the loop allows it to accelerate beyond the scope of inflation.
Even if you accept this as true (which is interesting but is also a bit of a stretch), it certainly doesn't explain why tuition consistently rises at a rate several times that of inflation. The latter items certainly do.