Spartan U: Unbundled College Pricing

Universities sell instruction bundled with housing, dining, gyms, student life, and large administrations. Yascha Mounk proposes an 'I’m Here to Learn' tier that sells only instruction and labs, while Arnold Kling notes bundling functions as price discrimination in overhead‑heavy sectors. Unbundling could slash costs for learners but would upend cross‑subsidies and the current business model. — If higher education can be unbundled, the politics and financing of college—who pays for amenities versus learning—would shift, reshaping affordability, equity, and institutional incentives.