Even though many won’t have the funds to pay “up front”, unless things are tremendously different from now (and of course they could be), most students who really want to attend college are eligible for student loans and/or work study. Really good students qualify for scholarships.
That said, as a part time college instructor, I’m amazed at how the learners’ attitudes have changed over the past decade. On my recent instructor evaluations, some students stated they thought it was unfair to have to take notes in class. They claimed doing so was distracting and “boring”. So, basically, they wanted the PowerPoint handouts given to them, but not really discussed/reviewed, and then to be entertained during class time.
I think many educators have caved in to the demands for watered-down curriculum and expectations. Some may fear negative student ratings. Not sure if we’re past the point of no return, but some days it seems like it.
p.s. Watch “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”
Exactly. I'm a college professor at a state U. In my large undergraduate course, only about half of the students actually take notes. The rest just sit there. "Education" has become "Edutainment".