I work at a restaurant 10 blocks away, have only an associates, and make more in middle management at a mom and pop group. Considering the cost of living here, $25/hr is frankly brutal. Considering each student pays that for a single year of education, it seems the university should have a suitable pay range. My brother makes as much teaching middle school band out here.

But yes, it is a product of the priorities of American's not so much the politicians themselves. Despite the rampant criminality up top, politicians do tend to address things a vast majority of people care about. For example, if conservatives were screaming about health care instead of building a wall with our taxes, you'd see at least an effort on behalf of the party. But immigration is a larger concern atm than health care.