I can't imagine graduating college owing $900 a month

[laundry_queen]

19. I have never read that book

but there are numerous ways to make it through without a large amount of debt. I think part of the problem (besides greedy for profit universities) is people want the whole college experience. They want to live in residence, they want to party on the weekends. That means more debt. At my school, it's really amazing how few people do that. Most people have a p/t job (admittedly I live in an area with low unemployment) and take several online courses so they can work a few full days. Almost all still live at home, and those that don't (because they have a spouse, or come from a far away town) have 3 or 4 roommates. The caveat being I'm in Canada and our tuition rates are still quite low in comparison to much of the US.

I pay roughly $7,000/yr. I've been paying as I go, but I'm lucky to have an income stream (alimony, child support) and I earned quite a few scholarships this last year ($3000 worth). I also take courses year round to spread out the cost (and it allows me more time with my kids until the youngest is in school).

If I was single, just starting out, with unsupportive parents, I'd totally find a full time job and take online courses as I could afford the tuition- just one or 2 at a time, year round, can add up quickly to a degree. With the internet, there really is no excuse to not work and get a degree at the same time. The big issue is you forgo close personal relationships with profs and other students (which can lead to opportunities) and you miss the whole experience. But only you can decide what all that is worth to you. Cost vs benefits and all that.