There's some hacks around College debt such as going to Berea College, federal work colleges, or Deep Springs College. Also Community College to a local college (ensure that your credits will transfer 100%) is a cheaper option. I've been fortunate enough to get jobs without a degree.
I've also attended community college, a prestigious college (Tulane) and Berea College. Their courses are essentially the same, but different costs. People are a little smarter, so the standard for homework is a bit higher at Tulane. Honestly it's not worth to get debt for a brand name that most employers don't care about these days.
I don't think it's a hack at all. It's how higher education should work. My dental hygienist was sending her daughter to college that way, and was just delighted with the deal that they were getting.
While our present system is what it is, and educates a lot of people, the same can be said for our health care system. But both are these opaque public-private enterprises that cost twice or more as in other civilized countries, for no reason that anybody can discern.
I've long believed that our best bet towards reforming higher education is to support and strengthen the public institutions that are doing a lot of good for a lot of people.
I've also attended community college, a prestigious college (Tulane) and Berea College. Their courses are essentially the same, but different costs. People are a little smarter, so the standard for homework is a bit higher at Tulane. Honestly it's not worth to get debt for a brand name that most employers don't care about these days.