Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising trend of tuition fees in Chinese universities, indicating that many institutions are entering a new phase of tuition inflation, with some fees exceeding 40,000 yuan per year for certain programs, reflecting a significant financial burden on families [4][5][6]. Group 1: Tuition Fee Increases - Public universities are experiencing tuition increases ranging from 10% to 30%, with some private institutions seeing even higher hikes, such as Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University, where art program fees have surpassed 43,000 yuan, a 23% increase from the previous year [3][5][12]. - Yunnan Normal University has raised tuition for liberal arts majors from 3,400 yuan to 4,200 yuan per year, marking a 23.5% increase, while other disciplines also saw increases of 10% to 32.4% [8][9][10]. - The average tuition increase across various disciplines in Yunnan is approximately 10.5%, with a new floating mechanism linked to program quality being introduced [10][11]. Group 2: Financial Pressures and Future Trends - The rising tuition fees are attributed to increased operational costs and reduced government funding, leading universities to rely more heavily on tuition revenue [6][34][22]. - The trend of tuition hikes is expected to continue, with many institutions already experiencing significant increases since 2020, indicating a long-term shift in the higher education funding landscape [22][28]. - The financial strain on families is compounded by the rising costs of living and the declining birth rate, which may lead to fewer students enrolling in higher education institutions in the future [34][35]. Group 3: Impact on Educational Value - The article highlights a concerning trend of degree devaluation, where the job market is increasingly favoring vocational qualifications over traditional degrees, leading to a phenomenon where even graduates from prestigious universities struggle to secure employment [37][40]. - The rising tuition costs are juxtaposed with the increasing number of graduates, creating a competitive job market that diminishes the perceived value of a university degree [37][41]. - There is a growing call for higher education institutions to focus on practical skills and employability, suggesting a need for reform in how education is delivered to better align with market demands [42][43].