Just as an fyi, if you’re an incoming freshman, you can only take out $5500 in federal loans (then $6500 sophomore year, and $7500 per year for junior and senior year). If you require more than that you’d have to go to a parent loan (aka your parents will have to sign up for it) or private loans (and if you’re 18 with no credit, you’ll need a cosigner, again probably your parents). How do you plan on getting $10,000 each year?
If you’re a engineering major or a few select majors outside of engineering, $40,000 of debt isn’t insane. If it’s anything in liberal arts, I would say it’s too high. I personally prefer sticking to the loans offered by the federal government since the interest rates are low and they offer a grace period, deferment, and reasonable payment plans.