OK yes, you can get 10% access at state schools, absolutely. Most of these have PMC feeder programs that give you a direct path to this kind of career. Just have to pick the right degree/program (not hard to do, they often advertise it heavily and have visible corporate partners).
I agree! But the way you ensure this is by paying. This is not an unusual market shape. Realistically wikipedia provides more educational opportunity than any university on the globe did in the 80s—association with education brand is largely a performance. You don't really need to pay anything to be competitive with other people excluded from upper crust society. I am unfortunately moving in the direction that wealth dominates all other factors of human behavior.