Excellent reality checks in posts 28 & 39 (@Dietz199). Another issue for some kids (especially the Californians) is that smoking is much more prevalent among German youth. The article in the original post actually focusses primarily on Master’s students, where the savings are more significant. According to this article in the NY Times, only a very small percentage of US undergraduates take on burdensome debt:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/12/upshot/student-loans-the-facts.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=1
My husband received his undergraduate and graduate education in Germany and he has commented many times how much he prefers the American system, with large dorms, accessible faculty and campus based culture. Perhaps things have changed over the years, but he still refers to some of his Herr Doktor Professors as “Dementors”. He also had to scramble every year for a place to live, often with irritable landlords and peculiar flat mates.
Several years abroad, as for a Master’s degree, can be a very enriching experience. However after 3 or 4 years the culture shock upon return becomes more significant. There is also a rather high probability that students will form relationships, both personal and professional, that may lead them to remain in the country where they do their undergraduate work. All things to weigh in mind when evaluating “cost”.