If we start to factor in "costs to society" then you have to also consider RoI to society in the form of wider access to education. Both are diffuse and difficu

If we start to factor in "costs to society" then you have to also consider RoI to society in the form of wider access to education. Both are diffuse and difficult to measure which is why, rightly imo, they're excluded from most amateur discussions. Considering the number of universities that are in the middle of nowhere, so much so that the idea of the "college town" is a thing, Im a little incredulous as to the real costs from that use of "prime real-estate" in a holistic sense.