A house is a nearly guaranteed asset. The value will likely steadily rise throughout the years, and with good homeowners insurance you'll get paid even if the house is destroyed.
An education guarantees nothing. The neurosurgeon could die, or suffer an injury preventing them from performing surgery, or just plain quit and decide to pursue art instead.
Of course the neurosurgeon has a significantly higher potential future value, but it's an unrealized asset.
Also, it's possible to discharge a mortgage through bankruptcy, while student loans are much more difficult to discharge, so you're effectively stuck with that debt forever regardless of your career choice.
An education guarantees nothing. The neurosurgeon could die, or suffer an injury preventing them from performing surgery, or just plain quit and decide to pursue art instead.
Of course the neurosurgeon has a significantly higher potential future value, but it's an unrealized asset.
Also, it's possible to discharge a mortgage through bankruptcy, while student loans are much more difficult to discharge, so you're effectively stuck with that debt forever regardless of your career choice.