Three case studies from three people I went to high school with Student A was an A student. He got into several ivy league schools. He chose to go to a mid-pac

Three case studies from three people I went to high school with Student A was an A student. He got into several ivy league schools. He chose to go to a mid-pack private school that offered him a generous scholarship and some financial aid, and took on a small amount of debt, which he knocked out in a couple years. He's an engineer now. Student B was a B student. He used every trick possible (intensive SAT prep, using family connections, applying early decision, visiting campus several times, tailoring essays) to get into the a particular almost-ivy-tier private school. He got zero aid and scholarships, and took on 6-figure debt. He has a solid job in accounting now. Student C was a C student. He wasn't super interested in college but ended up going to a local state school. Lived at home, worked part-time, graduated on time. I don't think he took on much or any debt at all. He got a job in a local law firm. In high school, everyone thought that Student B was a legend for getting into such an incredible school. Everyone said Student A was wasting a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to a top school, and Student C was going to be a garbage man. In reality, Student A still got a great education, and by being an A student, excelled in college and naturally excelled in his career. Student B did get a springboard into the industry by going to a top school, but the debt has absolutely crushed his ability to build wealth, buy property, etc. And Student C basically ticked off the box for "I went to college" and got a solid job, without debt baggage.