[morgante]

> However, there is a line to draw on how much debt to put on someone.

Yes, people should decide how much debt they want to take on.

There are vast differences in the value of different degrees (cost and earnings). It's people's responsibility to educate themselves. The rest of us shouldn't have to subsidize someone's terrible decision to go into debt for a degree in basket-weaving.

[chumich1]

Should we be expecting the average 17-year old to be make sound financial decisions? Especially given how much money is involved.

[morgante]

Yes, we should. The average college freshman is 18 years old.

If you're old enough to drive a car, join the army, or be charged as an adult, you're old enough to realize that paying tens of thousands of dollars for a degree in musical theater isn't a great idea.

It's not rocket science. There are tons of resources online to help you figure out which degrees and schools are good value.

[chumich1]

Yes, I agree it would be great if all 17/18 year-olds were able to sift through the marketing BS of school PR departments and the societal pressures to go to college, but it's increasingly obvious that they aren't making good decisions. I'm not convinced free college is the best solution either, but it seems you don't have much empathy for those without the same perception ability as you. I thought I was making the right decision, but now I'm stuck with 2k/mo for 8 years. I'm a bit bitter, yes...

[st3v3r]

"Yes, we should. The average college freshman is 18 years old."

And how many finance courses would they have taken during high school?