> Um, my college education clearly rewired my brain. I learned how to study, and how to solve problems.

It does do that, but you can do that at a state school for a significant discount over "elite" schools. Arguably, they'll even do it better, because you're not insulated from how the world works outside of those institutions.

> That doesn't work for science & engineering.

Ooooooh yes it does.

Hell, it even works in medicine.

You can get an excellent science and engineering class from some state schools, like UW. But, you have to be careful to select the right classes. For example, you'll want to avoid all the "weeder" class, and all classes with an "easy A" reputation.