Yes, the cost of gear can add up quickly. When I was in your shoes' (early 20's with little to no money), I did elk hunts and a sheep hunt, in clothes purchased at Tractor Supply. You don't NEED high end gear to be successful. However, some of this high end gear, can make the hunt more comfortable.
My advice spend the $$$ on boots (you only get one pair of feet, you need to take care of them). Then for the rest of your gear watch for online deals,either from "hunting" warehouses or backpacking warehouses, buy used from @bay, or here on TG in the classifieds.
Used clothing from Patagonia, Northface, Marmot etc are all over on @bay, just buy in olives or brownish colors.
Enjoy the process of figuring it all out. It's taken me almost 20yrs to get "all" my gear narrowed down, and in that 20yrs, I have hunted 9 different states.....javalina to bighorn sheep.
Lots of ways to save on gear, just get creative!!
chris <><