My younger sister is going to a reputable EU university that is recognized in the US for less than $8k for her whole degree, including housing (I think including, her first year housing she has a whole place to herself for like 400€ a month) , as an international student. And it only takes 3 years because they don’t waste time on all gen eds. She was offered scholarships for her already meager (in US standards) tuition. We are plain boring US citizens, anyone can apply. When visiting the university, my sister and my mom (a US university worker) noted that the only difference was the distinct lack of outrageous college spending the US is known for, like free tee-shirts, RA pizza party budgets, and other things that are fine and dandy but you really wish your tuition wasn’t paying for. Just a plain building of learning. Apply international kids, break the cycle! Don’t let anyone ever tell you you need a degree from the US only, there are many other countries where the US and other countries recognize the quality of education, just make sure the country and school you are looking at is well recognized internationally.
TLDR; the US isn’t the center of the universe, find cheaper and recognized education in other countries