In the late 80s, I had enough saved up from working in high school to pay the $6000 tuition/R/B at my state flagship, for freshman year. During college, earned $150 (clear) per week working in restaurants… this was 2 nights a week during school and 3-4 nights during breaks. I made MORE than enough money to cover the $6K tuition/Room/Board at my flagship, plus my car expenses and partying and clothes. Especially after I moved off campus and the Room/Board was a lot less. And I didn’t even work that much… some kids worked a lot more. And I did not have an ‘easy’ major.
This is IMPOSSIBLE now at a state flagship. No way.