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I anticipate having to take out between $50,000 and $100,000 in loans to finance a degree.

Is that really what college costs these days? I went to state school which cost about 8-10K per year. My loans are 0% subsidized govt loans. I pay about 150 bucks per month. I could have paid them all off by now, but why?

It doesn't need to be that expensive.

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In-state tuition at my state flagship (Illinois) is $20,000. Factor in cost of living and various fees, and costs can easily run into the $30,000 to $40,000 per year range. Moreover, state funding for the university has fallen in recent years, meaning that financial aid is scarce and that tuition is perpetually rising.

If I recall correctly, the interest rate on Stafford loans is 3.4%. Government "Parent PLUS" loans and private loans are much higher. What's especially appalling is that the federal government actually uses student loans as a source of revenue. (http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/ripping-off-young-...)

The cost is getting out of control.

You don't have to go there; especially not the whole 4 years; just googled Illinois state is more like $6500, and community colleges are way cheaper -- and you can use CLEP too! (OTOH, CS at UIUC would look really coll on the resume, so maybe transfer for your last 2 years, or go for an MS)

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