Has education become too overpriced and overrated?

Education is absoutely not over-rated - however, overpriced it certainy has - and it just keeps on climbing - we have been fairly lucky in Oz compared to other countries however, we are moving many of our courses towards shorter to very short courses run through private corporatised training orgs who are asking top dollar for quick diplomas. There are short training courses that unemployed people can do through other training orgs (not for profits) that are fully govt funded. Many University courses are out of reach for many people although repayments don't need to be made til you are employed receiving a certain amt of income. Paying for education is going to be thrown back into the laps of parents - the more parents ask for better teacher, better facilities and better education for their kids - the more they are going to have to pay - school use to be free but there is no such thing anymore as a free education - public schools have had fees for years and these are on the rise. Just because the govt contributes doesnt make public ed free. On the other hand, can you ever really put a price on education if it's good and if its going to get you somewhere in your life.