We were “willing” to go into debt. But by planning and saving since the kids were born, by the time the kids reached age 16 we’d put together almost enough to cover college costs at private colleges; the remainder came out of our earnings over the 7 years that one or the other was in college as well as contributions by the kids’ grandparents (my parents). We followed the model set by my parents; when I was about to set off for college my dad told me “We can’t promise you an inheritance. But we CAN provide you with a good college education.”