<p>LuckyDucky,
As a parent, I absolutely think $200K debt is too much for an undergraduate education. We were in a similar situation last year. My son was accepted to a very expensive school ($200K range) that was his first choice with virtually no assistance. He was also accepted everywhere else he applied with generous financial aid. </p>
<p>We wanted him to go to his first choice, but we would have to take out alot of loans and/or raid our retirement fund. Our daily living would be very tight. Our son said that he wouldn't put us in that financial situation and chose to attend a more affordable school. It was a very kind and mature decision on his part.</p>
<p>Guess what? He is perfectly happy and successful this year. He has been challanged academically, has fun extracurricular activities and made some really nice friends. There are smart and motivated students where ever you go.</p>
<p>Know what else? We have had some unexpected expenses that came up since last year, and I am very glad we are not pressed to the wall with college debt.</p>
<p>Now that he has saved us all that money, we intend to help him pay for graduate school as much as possible. He will be able to start out his adult life enencumbered with huge monthly debt...maybe get a nice car or a house.</p>
<p>Every decision is a fork in the road, and as some one else mentioned in an earlier post, we all try to justify our past decisions. But in this case, where the financial difference was huge, I think we made the right one for us. :) Good luck with yours! It shows alot of foresight that you are weighing the options.</p>