Paying for university is the cheap part of most college experiences. That's part of the point. People are whining about student debt. But they are using that de

Paying for university is the cheap part of most college experiences. That's part of the point. People are whining about student debt. But they are using that debt to pay rent, but cars, order another round of beer, buy another laptop... If you want a college education, they can be had in quality for under $15,000/year total. Tuition, fees, books, rent, food, laundry, everything. No car, used laptop, state school. If there isn't one across the street from you, look around. My kids are spread across the country. So far, they all have degrees they can be proud of. University of Nebraska has campus housing as low as $4000/year. Tuition and fees ~$9000/year. Boise State has 3 bedroom apartments for $825/month. Tuition and fees ~$8000/year. $2000 scholarship to residents with 3.3+ GPA. Arizona State has apartments for ~$5000/year. Tuition and fees ~$11000/year. Georgia Tech has apartments for ~$6400/year. Tuition and fees ~$12500/year If you don't have the money, don't expect MIT. But you can get a decent--sometimes best-in-class--STEM degree from state colleges. Go in with five roomates on rent. Cook planned meals. Give up your smart phone and its $60/month plan. Pretend like you're really poor. Live like you're really, really poor. For four years. Then when you're done, lose out on real big job offers to MIT grads and settle for something under 6 figures (read 7 figures in Silicon Valley).