We are telling our daughter to do community college first unless she gets major scholarships. The old idea of going anywhere for the 'college experience' is too expensive now. A degree can still open doors, but the price matters more than people admitted twenty years ago.

I went into the trades and do not regret it. I started earning earlier and avoided student loans. That does not mean college is bad, but it is not the only respectable path. Some families still treat trade school like a backup option, when for many people it is the smarter financial move.

College was worth it for me, but only because I chose a state school, worked part-time, and picked a degree with clear job options. The problem is not college itself; it is borrowing huge money without a plan. I would tell students to compare expected salary, debt, and completion rates before signing anything.