The cost-benefits really depend on the major. We were watching Dirty Jobs the other night, and the business owners, doing a VERY nasty job, both had college degrees - in Philosophy. Obviously, not a cost-effective degree! But some areas WILL be more cost-effective, especially for those who go to in-state schools, and even more so if they go locally and live at home. My son's future BSCS should end up costing around $20,000 -- something that will definitely be made up in the difference in salary vs if he hadn't gone to college! If he were majoring in philosophy, um, I wouldn't be so sure.