But if you make more than $60k because of your college degree, then you are in the black in not too long. Let's say you make $80k, then you are break even at 17 years. If you are making more like 100k, then you break even at only 8.5 years. Considering that the retirement age is around 70, this means that even a small increase in salary leaves a good chunk of money on the table by retirement (or allows an earlier retirement).

Of course, there are the other factors that others are discussing. Plus things like interest (on loans and investments).