The difference in the UK is that it is standardised and subsidised by the government so that there is equal opportunity for both affluent and low-income learners to have access to the same tuition. All also have access to interest-free loans.
Scottish natives do not pay for their tuition at all which explains why so many of my Scottish friends have Masters degrees or PHDs. :lol:
It's then primarily based on academic ability although the other selection criteria based on your worldliness/cultural appreciation I imagine is also a factor with certain high-level universities.
I can imagine that the colleges in the states are a law unto themselves which is why you end up with such high fees. Is there federal control over higher education?