Originally Posted by
Mesabah
You have the same info I have, you need to think about the taxes, housing assistance you don't get, medical benefits you have to pay for, and costs associated with having a job.
Gross pay of a college grad is much higher, however, take home pay with overall benefits, is about the same as someone who doesn't take the time to go to college.
Big money jobs require you to be either a licensed professional, or in business for yourself. Neither of these require a college degree, however for professions like attorney, doctor, etc, it is a prerequisite for their specific trade school.
Your average 18-23 year old who doesn't go to college doesn't have much drive/ambition/skill/wisdom/knowledge to get out and get these "big money jobs" right out of the gate. Most 18-22 year olds who don't go to college are working min wage jobs and spending all of their money partying. Most college students don't have medical expenses because you stay on your parents plan until you are 23. For you to suggest that the average take home pay for college vs non college worker is about the same shows how far out of touch you really are on this. As someone else posted, over 30 years of working, the non college worker is about to make 60 cents on the dollar for his college counter part. Your rational on the matter is extremely short sighted.