Since the Great Recession, American colleges and universities have been coping with dwindling state and federal support. As a result, tuition and fees - and student loan debt - have skyrocketed.

Meanwhile, some European countries have kept costs under control and continued to invest in higher education, offering public university for free. 

Coming to 89.7 WGBH Radio the week of March 2, On Campus reports from Germany in a new weeklong series, German Lessons, to see how public universities are doing things differently — controlling costs and trying to maintain quality; aligning curriculum with workforce demands; tracking young Germans into blue- and white-collar fields; and attracting more international students, including price-conscious Americans.

Tune in to WGBH's Morning Edition this week to listen to the series from On Campus' Kirk Carapezza and Mallory Noe-Payne, share your thoughts on social media using #GermanLessons and @OnCampusWGBH, and explore more online at wgbhnews.org/germanlessons.

Tuesday, 3/3: What Do German Colleges Offer That America Can’t Match? 
More American students are choosing to go to college in Germany. But at what expense to U.S. global growth?

Wednesday, 3/4: Stigmatized In America, ‘Blue-Collar’ Aristocrats Thrive In Germany
While American companies complain graduates don’t have the skills they need, Germany’s vocational system is partnering with employers to train students on the job. As a result, youth unemployment hovers around 8 percent. So why haven’t apprenticeships taken hold in the States?

Thursday, 3/5: Aptitude And Ability: Why Germany Is Better Than The U.S. In Channeling Talent
Germany uses a tracking system based on aptitude and ability that sends students to one of three types of higher education: vocational, technical or university. Does tracking result in better employment and job satisfaction?

On Campus is a public radio reporting initiative focused on higher education produced in Boston at  WGBH. The desk aims to explore trends in higher ed nationwide, taking the time to capture distinct voices of students, faculty, administrators and thought leaders. On Campus launched in June of 2013 and is a collaboration with the  Forum for the Future of Higher Education. Our reporting is also supported by the Davis Educational Foundation, the Lumina Foundation for Education and TIAA-CREF.