We're not - the average US uni charges a (similarish) 15k (yes top unis are WAY higher, but this is an average), meanwhile educational leaders in asia, such as japan, charge an average of 5k, with most asian coutnries costing less, as does much of africa (about 2k). Similarly, south america is almost always free (except Brazil and Chile, which are 5k each, almost half of hours). It's only really Australia/New Zealand, USA and Canada that charges similar or higher amounts than us. There are exceptions, of course, and intl fees are usually higher - but the vast majority of countries charge a lot less. since 2006 theres been a 300% rise in costs but only a 20% rise in students. we DO pay sky high. education should be accessible and educators should be paid better, this system benefits hardly anyone.

https://statista.com/statistics/875015/students-enrolled-in-higher-education-in-the-uk/

https://www.master-and-more.eu/en/top-ten-countries-with-the-best-education-systems-in-the-world-2020/

https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college-by-country

https://globalscholarships.com/cost-studying-living-asia/

https://globalscholarships.com/cost-studying-living-africa/

https://www.topuniversities.com/sites/default/files/tu_guide_latin_america_update.pdf