The panel questions whether students should take on enormous debt for an education that doesn't produce marketable skills or sufficient career value. The core issue isn't simply whether college is good or bad, but whether the education and expected outcome justify its cost. College Board estimates the average 2025–26 student budget at roughly $30,990 for an in-state public four-year student and $65,470 at a private nonprofit institution. That makes $400,000 possible at certain expensive schools, but far from the typical four-year cost. Student debt remains substantial nationally, with outstanding U.S. student loans totaling roughly $1.6 trillion. But a student personally borrowing $400,000 would be an extreme case, especially for undergraduate education, rather than a representative borrower experience. College still has measurable economic value on average. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show workers with bachelor's degrees generally experience higher median earnings and lower unemployment than workers with only high-school diplomas, although outcomes differ substantially by field.