But there are people (and we all know who they are) who can afford to send their kids to college, but resent sending anyone elses, no matter what the benefits to the society as a whole.

Our system is the exception. In most advanced countries in the world, college tuition is free to anyone who can pass the entrance exams, although books, fees and earning a living and supporting a family while in school still keep out a lot of people. My grandfather got to attend medical school in Havana in the early decades of the 20th century even though his family was working class. This was only a few years after Cuba gained its independence from Spain. Abuelo never graduated, some say because of politics, others say because of a woman, but that's another story.

For a while, the State College system, scholarships and GI Bill made college accessible to many in America. But some people don't like to see their tax dollars subsidizing anyone else. That's why we don't have universal health care. BTW, Cuba had THAT in the 1910s too. Just like most other civilized countries do.

BTW, these are the same people who cut funding to education, but lobby for the State to subsidize private schools, where they send THEIR kids..

You cannot reason with these people. Their idea of good government is cutting taxes for the propertied class, but plenty of support for cops, judges, jails and the military.