Deep Dive: Ivory Tower (2014)
Film Lens

Ivory Tower is a documentary that questions the value of higher education in the United States, particularly in light of rising tuition costs. It examines various forms of education, including community colleges, four-year universities, vocational schools, and online courses. The film argues that the increasing price of college has reached a critical point, prompting a need for deeper investigation into the education system.
The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was later distributed by Participant Media, Paramount Pictures, and Samuel Goldwyn Films. It was first broadcast on CNN on November 20, 2014. Critics have noted its thorough examination of the university landscape, with some praising its emotional engagement with the topic of student debt and tuition costs.
Why Watch
- •See the impact of rising tuition on students today
- •Find out about different education types across the U.S.
- •Meet experts like Clayton Christensen and Richard Arum
Did You Know
•Ivory Tower premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2014.
•The film was first broadcast on CNN on November 20, 2014.
•On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 83% score based on 52 reviews.
•The film had a theatrical release in the U.S. on June 13, 2014.
Perfect For
Education reform advocatesStudents facing debtHigher education policymakers