After a few volatile years following the financial crisis that ended in 2009, economic experts say the state of the U.S. economy is looking up. Financial markets have again reached record highs, and economic indicators are trending positive, but the average American family is less optimistic about its financial future amid concerns over college affordability. In a combustible election year full of populist rhetoric, candidates for both federal and state offices are decrying higher education's price tag and mounting student loan debt.