We hired a young graduate of Carnegie Mellon last year that told me he had over $150k in undergraduate student loans his parents co-signed for him, under the same premise as your parents – namely they had the money for college, but the parents believed strongly their kid should pay his own way and if it was an expensive school it was his decision. So he is working off the loans. Given his career trajectory I would think he will have them paid off in a 3-5 years. Its an additional monthly nut for him I am sure, but he is happy and strongly believes the education he received was worth the debt he is carrying. He is a responsible young man, so I am sure his parents never worried he would stiff them with the debt. So, its really your personal decision to invest in yourself. Depending on what you believe you will be doing when you are done with your education, then investing $150k or more in your undergraduate degree is a personal decision, and a family risk, but at least a risk you and your parents are taking with your eyes open.