<p>The US system is much misunderstood in the UK. First, most universities in the US don’t charge $60k per year. State universities offer lower fees to their instate students than out of state students. It is possible to pay tuition at some very good schools e.g. UC Berkeley, UT Austin, U Michigan as an instate student for less than $14,658.30 (equivalent of nine thousand pounds which is what Oxford charges). Universities in states with lower populations will often charge much less for a great education e.g. Ohio State (instate tuition equivalent to 6162.58 pounds), directional universities (lower tier ones in each state) will also charge lower tuition rates. The big difference between the US and the UK that I see is that while nine thousand pounds annual tuition for Oxford is a bargain, many lower tier universities have decided that they are also worth nine thousand pounds ($14,658.30) annual tuition. This would be seen as laughable in the US and people would never pay it.</p>