[jb6]

Problem is, few people are willing to get a $30K degree, work like mad, staying in a computer lab till 3am 3 days a week just to earn less then a teacher or a Block Buster manager.

[Myrddin]

Your observation is right on. My son graduated from high school with a 4.33 GPA. He started working on degree in astrophysics. To cover his schooling costs, he took a real estate license course and started selling real estate in San Diego. He realized very quickly that his business acumen was much stronger than his interest in astrophysics. His fluency in Spanish has opened the doors to a large and relatively untapped market in San Diego.

The Marine Corps is covering his class costs at University of Phoenix now. Assuming he doesn't get a call to active duty next summer, he will be finishing a business management degree in January 2006. At that point he will be free to decide whether to wrap up his reserve service with the Marines and go 100% civilian employment, or seek a commission as an officer.