since i was in first year university, tuition has always been affordable if y ou have a summer job. I had to save about 3K for first year tuition (it's up around 5K now). I know people that I work with had to save up only 1k for tuition, back in the late '70's early '80's, but then theyonly made about $4/hr on their summer jobs too. So it still mapped: one summer's worth of minimum wage or so work, would generate tuition savings. Room and board was different tho. since I went away for university (Kingston: cha gheill!) i had to comeup with residence in first year (thanks mom & dad) and then shared rent in subsequent years. So it got tougher.
I just read in the CBC site, about teaching English in Korea, and how Koreans want their kids to learn English so much. They typically spend about 1 third of their family incomes on education, in effect giving up consumer durables for education. So it is perceived to be a better roi for the family - spending on education all depends on your priorities. I know people who's parents will not even consider post secondary education for their kids!!!
cbc article:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_.../20050530.html