<p>I think education is the best thing you can spend your money on, but that is if you have it. If you live in a state with a good and reasonably priced flagship (especially California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Virginia, etc.) you can get a great education and still find plenty of the most brilliant students and endure less financial hardship if you don’t have the money. Georgia Tech tuition is apparently free for the top students in state. People will argue that Ivies give good financial aid, which is definitely true. However, they do not give merit aid and the culture and social life is catered to students who have money. This is not to say people in lower socioeconomic positions shouldn’t come, they are often among the most determined students on campus and add a lot to the culture. It’s just that they should be aware that it may feel alienating to them.</p>