I believe that colleges are expensive for many reasons. One reason, of course, is the expenses needed to be paid for all the professers and facility members. Other reasons include labeling.
I know that you can still get the same, great education in some cheaper, more local schools. Though, with a label, sometimes that does matter when you are going into your profession. If a man or woman wanted to become a laywer, or judge, and they say they got their Bachelor's Degree in Law at Harvord....well, that automatically says something about them. Since Harvord is such a prestigious school, (or aka a very expensive school,) then they will have a much higher chance at being employed and looked upon much more highley than saying they went to a small communtity school for four years.
Or if someone specializing in the preforming arts said they went to Julliard in New York City, people will look upon that person with respect. If someone specializing in the same area said they went to NKU for the exact amount of time, they would still be looked highly upon, just not as much as that person who went to Julliard. Sometime expensive schools get you farther into your job then the normal schools who offer the same education. People want to look highely upon, and have an image of respect for themselves. Prestigious schools such as Harvord offer them that, which is why many people become intrested in such schools.
Is it fair? No. Do I agree with the whole lable thing? Absolutely not. Do I still encourage those who cannot afford such expenses to still get their education any way they possible can? Of course. Education is education. In fact, I'd prefer to go to NKU over Julliard, because it is local to where I live and the expenses are cheaper. I could go to school there for only $7,000, instead of paying $40,000 for Julliard.
When you reach the top of the mountain, keep climbing :)