There are some alternatives to continue shifting the burden onto students in various disguises:

- Government subsidies as an investment into reaping future taxes and economic prowess. Many countries already do this.

- Co-op ownership of universities which allows students (or govts on their behalf) to invest in institutions.

Perhaps a combination of fair equity exchanging between universities and students would "align interests" so-to-speak, so that institutions and students are positively motivated to help, rather than exploit, each other. This gets students thinking critically about balancing the two inseparable aspects of education: the actual education and "keeping the lights on."