That is different. The college market is nothing like the housing market. There is no way to say "College A and B are exactly the same merit but College B cost

That is different. The college market is nothing like the housing market. There is no way to say "College A and B are exactly the same merit but College B costs more, so I will choose College A". So many people do not make college decisions based on price (besides the broader decision of private university vs public university vs community college). With rent is is different. If a landlord tries to change the price of an apartment because tenants have more money, people will look for another apartment immediately. Unless they collude or there is a shortage of apartments, the pricing should stay sane.