Val, there are unconventional ways to get things accomplished. Depends on what one is willing to sacrifice. Including perhaps moving to a state with lower in-state tuition. People move across the globe and immigrate for educational opportunities, yet the general USA population would rather complain than to do what is necessary to afford what they want. I never said it is easy or comfortable. Only that it can be done. I am not claiming that everyone can afford college, nor am I providing financial advice for a specific path. Every region will have different costs of living, which is why I'm not claiming that all can do it and trying to not clog the thread with numbers which may be completely irrelevant to others. Which is why I've chosen to not provide the type of evidence you wish to see. I'm encouraging creativity and ideas for solving the problem of college expense in unconventional ways and relating people that I have personal connection to who have solved this problem.