Colleges Rely on Consortia, Contractors, and Ingenuity to Cut Costs

Forget that climbing wall in the new gym and the health-insurance company, too

By BEN GOSE

At first glance, it might appear that the University of Oregon has lost control of its costs. Oregon's in-state tuition has risen 52 percent since 1999-2000, compared with a 16.5-percent increase in the Consumer Price Index.

But...