The graph is misleading. The implication is that a bachelor's degree is costing more and generates less income, but what the graph shows is "total student loan

The graph is misleading. The implication is that a bachelor's degree is costing more and generates less income, but what the graph shows is "total student loan debt" not the "cost of a bachelor's degree". Technically this graph could be a good thing if we could graduating significantly more people who make more than someone without a degree (but 10% less someone who earned a degree 5 years ago), since more people would be better off. Other things to note: The time period is arbitrary and mostly shows the impact of the recession over the past 5 years. The graph shows total student load debt which includes everything from vocational programs to PHD students in public and private institutions. The graph has two independent scales so the slopes are arbitrary.