“but given those preconditions a $1 bottle of shampoo is just as good as a $50 bottle.”
Or the $50 bottle may be better. But the $1 is just fine.
One may not be able to improve the quality of shampoo although even this is debatable because use of the product is different from person to person. However, the comparison is invalid because the education that student gets in UG is about 95% (or higher) depends on the student and not the place. There are different classes to take even for the same subject and even at the same intro level. Opportunities fro various internships are absolutely everywhere. there are minors that can enrich student life greatly, there are various volunteering and job opportunities that are not necessarily at local eateries and retail stores. There is no question in my mind that one kid will get out at the top and accomplish of all of his goals and plus at absolutely ANY UG, and I have tons of examples of it. We are in Midwest and nobody around us is chasing Ivy / Elite, kids and parent are cool about it, but do not mind to attend for free or close and do their best there and achieve beyond their family dreams as high as they may be.