Compared to today's prices, college 30 years ago was a relative bargain. I suspect that the quality of the product was better, too. But 30 years ago, the colleges didn't have 15 bazillion deans and assistant deans, or "world-class" exercise/recreation facilities. They couldn't afford it.
BTW, I would like to have a Mercedes. And not have to pay for it.
You could replace most college by videotaping the best lecturers for a year or two, and putting the result on Youtube. Of course, that would implode the education gravy train, and defund a lot of the Lefties.
Also, they could put the bookstore scam out of business tomorrow. Hard to believe the youth of America hasn't strung up people over the $200 textbook that could be digitized in a millisecond, considering that today's video children do everything else on their little digital devices...