It's true that every top 20 private college/university allows in a great many people for free. However, there's a big difference between divorced parents and 1

It's true that every top 20 private college/university allows in a great many people for free. However, there's a big difference between divorced parents and 10 siblings, and a situation in which I grew up: one sibling, married parents, lower middle class income, but my father had a ton of school loans. The result was that my family income was high enough that I qualified for reduced tuition at most private schools, but nowhere near enough reduction to make most schools viable. Cost was literally the only factor I was able to consider in my choice of school, and even having chosen the school which offered me the best financial aid, I was unable to complete school due to cost. The fact is, the cost of education has risen to the point that higher education isn't available even to people in the middle class. $125K/year family income reaches well into the middle class. I would have paid nothing to go to Stanford, and in fact I still would pay nothing to go to Stanford. I may actually apply and try to finish my degree. :)