The way I figure it, you don't know what will happen in the future. You can't predict it. The elite education might not get you the dream job. The high-priced university might not work out. Something might happen that keeps that perfect life plan from rolling out like a red carpet from your feet.
But you can predict that all that student loan debt will be with you (or your kids) for a really long time.
Maybe I'm too practical. I really do believe in the value of a classical liberal arts education. But that doesn't help you when you can't afford a house of your own because you can't swing it with your college debt.
Looking back on my own life (it's been just about 20 years since I go my degree) I see a pretty labyrinthine path. I'm where I'm at due to a combination of timing, luck, intelligence (never underestimate raw brain power), and work. But I had no idea that I'd be here when I graduated.
