> In some countries, you don't even have the OPTION to take out a loan to go to school. You either have the money and you go, or you don't and it is that much harder to climb the social ladder.

> I'm not sure which evil is worse, but I'm damn glad I was offered those loans.

You are stacking only two options against each other. There are countries where there are no schools and countries where school is being paid by the community via taxes.

Of course between no school and school with loans the choice is clear (in an (post-)industrialized country, mind you).