Why do Americans pay so much for an education that can be proven to not be the finest?

Simple. Us Americans don't know any better and we go to the wrong schools. American students typically choose a school based on 1)their parents, 2) parties, 3)and athletics. Of course schools like Harvard can get away with it cuz, well, they actually do teach well. But other schools usually use those other factors as a way to jack up to price. And we're conditioned as Americans to think sports are king. Simple really.