@ucbalumnus, more constraints, yes, but still possible, especially with the proliferation of cheap quality online programs and material as well as more college credit possible in HS (thinking DE, etc.) and test-based credit (like CLEP) in recent years.
However, it’s less culturally acceptable (especially amongst the middle-class), and in part that’s because more available loans make stay-away college more possible and thus seen as more the ideal. A lot of it is keeping up with the Joneses.