Soaring College Costs: How Much is College Really Worth?

Despite tame inflation, college costs are rising again.  In fact, the annual cost to go to a four year institution is now $35,636.

That's crazy.

That's way more than I earned in the first year after I graduated from college. 

I look at my own outstanding college loans (I still owe over $20K, even though I graduated in 2002) and have to wonder what the kids who will graduate in four years will owe.  $50K?  $80K?  $100K?

How on earth can it be beneficial to strap all the bright, young 22 year-olds in this country with tens of thousands of dollars in debt?  Is college worth it?