I think the real crux of the issue is : why does education cost so much in the first place? Because it's excessively bloated.

I thought European universities were bloated, but they look like lean running operations compared to American ones: high quality food, parks, gardens, recreational facilities, sports facilities including personal trainers, courts, etc. It's more like a vacation resort and I think students often end up treating it like one.

Back in my day, the food at the university cafeteria was pig slop and we liked it!