I paid mine but it was "dirt cheap" in 1979 compared to 1989, 1999, 2009, 2019, - and 2022. If I had to pay what college students pay now, $10 to $20k would be welcomed with open arms. I'll gladly accept part of a loaf of bread rather than insisting I get a full loaf or nothing.

But as you say, that does nothing to lower the rapidly increasing costs of getting a degree and that should be part and parcel with loan forgiveness.

And yes, having an H.S. diploma rarely means one possesses critical thinking skills or is even literate.