Espi said:
A college degree will likely make someone ELSE financially successful. Not you.
Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard.
I spent a lot of my life poor with and without my degree.
Started making good money when I started working for myself.
At some point I think you have to risk. I never expected to succeed financially doing what everybody else was doing.
I agree with your first point. A college degree will equate to working for someone else, which will ultimately net them the money. And yes, Bill Gates did it right.
But here is what is never said once someone utters that statement - bill gates had a LOT more going for him than the OP. First, he was highly intelligent. He could have gotten 4.0 at any college, or graduated early. Second, he put in a huge amount of time to craft his trade. He didn't sit there at 18 and how to make tons of money, he went out and programmed at the local universities computer to craft his trade for hundreds of hours....every week of the year.
Is college the perfect solution? Not at all. But for most of us who are average guys with average ambitions, its necessary to get the better jobs. If you are a Warren buffet, Bill gates or someone who has an unusual talent, and has wanted something their entire lives...yes, skip college. Otherwise, if your smoking pot, getting a 2.3 GPA, and don't know what to do, don't think that just because you drop out that you'll be the Next CEO at Microsoft.
As for careers, I wouldn't do a 4 year college. Do a 2 year trade skill in IT, or healthcare. Pay off the debt. if you REALLY want to do something, save up some cash, learn a little, and get out there and start a business. Like If you work in healthcare, pay attention to what healthcare needs and than start your own consulting firm or business and sell a service...