Does anyone value the actual education and experience one receives for 4 years at an elite college or are you just concerned about the starting salary upon graduation? IMO, the value of the education is just as important as the starting salary as the undergrad experience and connections (alum and to the college) stay with you for the rest of your life. For example, my cousin and his wife went to Stanford in the 80’s and are still heavily involved in their college, conducting applicant interviews, annual alumni events, hiring local grads, cardinal football games and other D1 sports, they even live near campus. In summary, their 4 years at S has stayed with them (has become a part of them) for the past 35 plus years. Contrast that to my alma mater, UC Davis, much more impersonal (large student body) with limited alumni connections, lack of real school spirit, and quaint but boring small town, where no one stays after graduation. I probably have a combined family income greater than my cousins (only one spouse works) but the college experience is night and day from these two colleges. Sure they could have attended UC Davis like me (and saved a lot of money) but the opportunities are not equal.