“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” - Derek Bok quotes is trying to say is that the disadvantages of not having an education outweighs the price of getting a good education. If you add in everything you might lose without an education, such as the chance to get a good job, the chance to meet great friends, improved chances of getting a spouse and even feelings of inferiority as compared to the better educated, you might realise that education is a long term investment that pays dividends for life.