<prompt> Human: Okay, stupid question, but why is the average student loan debt 26,000 when my bachelors degree costs around 10,000 per year for 4 years? Statistically speaking, most people dont win scholarships up the wazoo, so how is this possible? Are most people attending cheaper schools? Do their parents have trusts funds? I just dont understand.  <response>: How do people shave off 14,000 of college costs? Start at community college, work part-time, get a decent summer job, max out AP credits and save on a semester of classes, a couple of small scholarships. 