In this day and age, many jobs have as a base requirement a college degree - at least for the better jobs. So, it's just reality speaking to the people giving you advice. It really all boils down to the career path that interests you most. Have you decided what that is? What kinds of qualifications do people in this field normally have? Will not having a degree start you out a few steps behind everyone else? Yes, it's a lot of money and time. But it pays off. Not just in the "book learning," but I have friends I met at college that have remained friends for life. Plus, college introduces you to some fields that you haven't had before. I never would have found out about my interest in nutrition and psychology being related had I not taken elective classes in these areas. Good question!

When you begin applying for jobs and find that degrees are required, or that a degree will get you 1/3+ more in pay than without one, you will understand. Employers want to know that you know the things they don't, or that they can't take the time and expense to teach you. A degree is proof of that. They don't have the time to mess with anything else, and they are more willing to pay well for someone who has invested in quality training.

I think most people have to go into debt to get a college education. If they get a federally insured loan, they don't have to start paying it back until after they graduate and the interest rate is low. I don't know any other way around it unless you are on a full scholarship. Even if you work while attending college, much of the money you make is to pay for food, etc. But, I guess some people can work and pay on their tuition at the same time.

Most people have not much choice but to go through these debts in order to secure reasonably good job when graduated. Take this as your investment for a good future.As the saying goes " no pain no gain ".Be prudent on how you spent your loan money.In moderation is the best policy so that what ever you have will not be depleted too soon.In the mean time scout around for free scholarship from time to time.

On average, you will earn 1 million dollars more in your life if you have a bachelor's degree than if you just have a high school diploma: http://www.uwrf.edu/admissions/Degree_to_Income.pdf Your undergraduate tuition plus all the interest you will ever pay will not equal 1 million dollars. This is not to mention that all of the interesting, challenging careers today require a college education.

You will qualify for many more higher paying jobs with a college education. Something to think about... Many places now include at LEAST tuition reimbursement, usually if your schooling has something to do with your job, and sometimes, for other reasons, as part of their benefits. If you know what you want to do, and get an offer, you may want to ask if they do. That way, you could go to school with at least SOME of the money covered. There are also quite a large number of good schools who offer night classes. It will make for a long day, but if you're determined... ;-) (My wife got her degree through Indiana Wesleyan College this way.) If you haven't, yet, please check out FAFSA - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ . (Don't go with fafsa.com, .net, or .org... These are businesses that help you fill out and send in the forms and charge you for it.) This is the government website for government grants and scholarships. If you qualify for any, they will tell you.) Also, check out your selected school(s) for grants, scholarships and other aid they can give you. Don't give up. While it's much easier to find them, now, with the internet, my aunt divorced my uncle and went back to college for free, finding all the grants and scholarships that others either didn't know about or qualify for. I believe she even had spending money besides the schooling. I'm not sure if any of these types of scholarships and grants are still around, but am willing to bet at least SOME of them are. ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

Yeah it's a shitty system eh. Look! We'll teach you how to make money so you can give it to us!

No. I am learning on the job. Why isn't that credible when I go look for a new job? I'm sure my lack of degree will give them an excuse to pay me less, despite my capabilities. Everytime I do the math-it never works out in my favor. My job provides tuition assistance, but I was warned that they may want my kneecaps or the rights to my soul if I wish to leave when I graduate.