in real time
“Meanwhile, tuition fees have nearly doubled, in real terms, in 20 years. Student debt, at nearly $1.2 trillion, has surpassed credit-card debt and car loans.”
1the meaning of "IN REAL TIME"

www.economist.com/news/leaders/21647285-more-and-more-money-being-spent-higher-education-too-little-known-about-whether-it?frsc=dg%7Ca&fsrc=scn/tw_app_ipad
http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21647285-more-and-more-money-being-spent-higher-education-too-little-known-about-whether-it?frsc=dg%7Ca&fsrc=scn/tw_app_ipad
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Question

in real time
“Meanwhile, tuition fees have nearly doubled, in real terms, in 20 years. Student debt, at nearly $1.2 trillion, has surpassed credit-card debt and car loans.”
1the meaning of "IN REAL TIME"

www.economist.com/news/leaders/21647285-more-and-more-money-being-spent-higher-education-too-little-known-about-whether-it?frsc=dg%7Ca&fsrc=scn/tw_app_ipad
http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21647285-more-and-more-money-being-spent-higher-education-too-little-known-about-whether-it?frsc=dg%7Ca&fsrc=scn/tw_app_ipad
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Answer

"Real terms" is a piece of economic/accounting jargon. Contrast it with "nominal terms". The "nominal value" of a $1 note (ie its value in "nominal terms") remains the same over time. Its "real value" (ie its value in "real terms") changes over time due to the effect of inflation.