When my dad attended Rennselaer and my mom attended the University of Manitoba they didn’t have the same services that students today have.
I pay $70/month for my gym membership even Equinox which is often around $200/month doesn’t have all of the same things many college gyms have. Some colleges have lazy rivers and other very luxurious services, student services, and season tickets to all sporting events- all of which often cost less if students were to get these in the open market due to the scale of student fees, and not being utilized by all students.
I’m not sure when loans became fully backed by govt. at lower than market rates. But that along with needing to teach kids starting with a base eating pods and dry scoop pre workout (tic) seem to have an impact too.