Unlike the United States of today, the Soviet Union (and the current Russian Federation) actually encouraged/encourages its students to take hard sciences, math, and other subjects.
I remember 30+ years ago that we were encouraged to take college course that would be of use down the road. Anticipate what would be needed by the time you got put of college.
We have just the one income and its less than $35,000 a year. Our son is in his 3rd year in the Honors College at Michigan State University, majoring in plant genomics and minoring in biotech. We save and scrimp and so far we haven’t had to take out any loans.
He plans to continue his studies and get his PhD. So, who knows maybe things will change, but so far so good.