There are so many things I don’t understand in this world. Why can’t we do something about North Korea? Why are all the bees dying? How did I miss knowing about “Jon & Kate Plus Eight” until last week?

None of these things, however, are nearly as confusing as student loans.

There was a time when kids whose parents couldn’t afford to pay for college just worked their way through. But the price has gone up so fast  more than twice as fast as inflation over the last two decades  that it’s not an option any more, unless the student in question is planning to be a sophomore through 2020, or is exploring the possibility of part-time employment in armed robbery.

Students borrowed $19 billion in private loans last year, from a bewildering array of options. (Does anybody find it strange that Congress is patting itself on the back for passing a law that protects college students from being offered credit cards, while they’re encouraged to commit themselves to tens of thousands of dollars in education debt?)

Some of the regular private lenders charge as much as 15 percent, although thanks to their dedication to the cause of learning, they are still protected from having their claims wiped away by a bankruptcy court.