My niece borrowed at TOTAL of $23,000 for college -- most of her costs were paid by working, saving, and scholarships, but they weren't quite enough for the four years. Please note that this is a tiny amount compared to the total cost of college these days.

She recently worked out that between banks selling her loans and varying interest rates she will have paid $137,000 for borrowing that money. Her father and uncles borrowed also; we paid 3% interest and paid the NDSL program.

You do the math.