Yes, definitely the rise in costs above inflation stood out. That is happening here too especially as the government pushes for University deregulation.

Not all degrees are equal wasn't always the case here. When I went to Uni there was no real difference in where you obtained your degree. Australia had a very limited number of Universities then and the education was fairly well equal apart from "tonal" differences. We have a much greater number now, piddling compared to the U.S. though, but there are qualitative differences appearing.

Thanks for the reference to OOH.