Hon, I have a couple of things to say about this.
One, the price is always going to be staggering. I'll be turning 30 this year, and we are still in the process of paying of DH's student loans. My goal was to be debt free before 30, but it's just not going to happen. And the only reason for that is because I don't feel comfortable using our savings to pay off the loan in full, given the state of the economy. I'd rather have that cushion of savings in case something happens.
That being said, student loans s---. (I'm not allowed to say that word anymore since my four year old repeats everything, so I guess I'm having trouble typing it as well!

)
The most important, unromantic thing that I can possibly say to you as someone who went to art school and loved it but is totally not working in her intended field, is if you want it, do it, and make sure it's really, really worth it. For that amount of money, and for what I'm sure it will mean to you, make it worth your time. If it's your dream, do it, my dear. And I'd never thought I'd be so unromantic and so practical, but make sure by all means that you are full steam ahead on your goals, but also that you have something to fall back on. If you'd asked me when I was a freshman in college if I thought in ten years that I'd be a bank teller because we needed the health insurance, I'd have laughed in your face. Not because there's not honor in that, or I'm not proud of what I provide for my family, but this is so far from where I pictured myself, it is sometimes laughable. But that's life. And it's meant to be lived.
I'll never regret the life choices I made. Getting married and not jumping right into grad school to get a master's. I know I'll get one eventually, but I wanted to live life first. Unfortunately, life doesn't always go the way you want it, and the little eight year old living inside you who was dying to be a Disney animator? Well, sometimes, she takes a back burner to the woman who wanted nothing more than to be a good wife and mother.
I'm sorry I've ranted so long, but I just want you to know, if you want to go to art school, go. Make it the best you possibly can. Enjoy it. These years are few and precious and wonderful, and you can't go backwards. So if it's your dream, my dear, seize it.