I don't know if the "college experience" is today what is used to be.
The partying and debauchery has been replaced with safe spaces and trigger alerts.
Worked 2 years full time and lived at home after HS before starting college. Saved almost $10,000 by 1976 when I started college. Tuition and Room and board at a decent P5 State school was around $650/quarter. Books around $100. (3 Qtrs per school year).
Dorms were not plush. Two per room. Sometimes 3 at the beginning of the school year for freshmen.
Meals were adequate but nothing too diverse or special. A far cry from what I’m hearing dorm life is like today.
Worked summers construction for $4.00/hour. Made it through in 4 1/3 years plus 1 summer session with an engineering degree.
Finally had to ask my father for $100 my last month as I was completely broke by then. Otherwise nothing and no loans.
Knew people who took loans because there was no interest and they could make 10% or more interest in a CD account back then. I just didn’t want to have it hanging over my head.
Funny story. Was home one weekend at church and another parishioner was discussing things with my father and said something about feeling sorry for him since I was in college -that it put a burden on him financially. He and I both knew he wasn’t paying dime one, but he didn’t say a word.
That being said, letting me live at home those 2 years before and 3 summers was plenty of support, I suppose. Plus I got a job locally and lived at home for another year before I bought my own house. So was able to save for the down payment during that time.