Parents largely don’t get it. The merits of college are starting to sound like a medieval myth — like Atlantis or the existence of elves with magic powers. Something everyone believes and nobody examines critically.
Before you devote a hundred grand or two, why not spend a few days hanging around a college? Sit in on a class, follow the kids around, talk to them in the local gin mills and hear how they talk (dirty) and think (not). Observe their teachers, who are often no better.
Then think about whether your kid has the smarts and the sense to get into a trade school instead.
You won’t be sorry.
There are four year colleges with lots of hands-on training and work experience requirements as part of their curriculums. Northeastern in Boston is one. The various state maritime colleges are others.
One reason at least some students go to college is because it is a required credential to enter an occupation. To be able to even sit for the CPA license one must have at least a BA or BS degree-at one point a fifth year was required (maybe still is).