It's also generational because of the increasing costs of college, not just the reputation of certain schools. I started college in about 1992. My in-state tu

It's also generational because of the increasing costs of college, not just the reputation of certain schools. I started college in about 1992. My in-state tuition at the University of Utah -- a major university, not elite, but not community college -- was, I think ( * ), less than about $1500, which is about $2700 in today's dollars. In-state tuition today is $8,824, reflecting a substantial reduction in state support -- a 3.2x real dollar increase. People in my generation and older who say "work your way through college", or "don't take out loans" need to make sure they've updated their mental model of the cost of college. (*) I can't find historical data going back to '92; In '98 it was $2711: https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/tuition-and-fees https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/tuition-and-fees which is $4203 in today's dollars.