Or have to. They built up with a certain amount of support from the government in mind, then the government dropped the ball. The schools then increase because they have too. But that doesn't explain the rising costs of private colleges.

At the same time, as the father of a high school senior, you quickly find very few kids pay the sticker price.

Yes it does. Demand.

Increase demand via cheap / easy student loans, as well as social "norms" and the cost of limited supply will increase.

The gov's role in edu prices and student debt is not different tthan the housing bubble. Same scam. Different market.