The truth is out...the quality of one's education depends less on the institution, and more on the individuals drive, talent and hard work. The Ivies used to shine because they attracted the best and the brightest. They don't necessarily do that any more, partly because the college that are one tier down from them offer merit scholarships to those same students.

My youngest is a perfect example. His choices were to attend his preferred Ivy League school and pay retail price on tuition, or to attend a more "regional" school and take the free ride they offered him. Ditto for the state schools he applied to. Medical school is a lot more affordable for him now.

The education has also improved at many state universities, many have a much better reputation now. They're not just 'fall back" schools anymore.

Kids where I live often attend the local Community College (they've gotten much better, too, especially in technical fields) for two years and then transfer to our well-known State U. Saves them a bundle, student loans are much easier to handle. The best and brightest that need cache on their diplomas go on to a MA and apply to Ivys for grad school.

You're right, people are catching on to the fact that many Ivys aren't necessarily better (certainly not worth the price), they just have the 'brand name' allure.

So true. I have merit-based scholarships at an excellent public university that pretty much add up to a free ride, which was really the deciding factor, after academics, in choosing my college .