I agree with everything posted, but is college the only way it can be done.

It's probably the most efficient way to demonstrate you have character traits listed by everyone who has posted, and if my son gets into aviation I will encourage him to get a degree to make his life easier.

I also think people should look at other things on a resume in lieu of a degree. A good example would be Army helicopter pilots that are warrant officers. They might not have a degree but they have certainly demonstrated the character traits associated with having a degree.

No, I don't have a degree but I have built 3 aircraft from scratch. One was temporarily put in the Smithsonian, and one holds a FIA world record, and was nominated for the Collier Trophy. I think this demonstrated the character traits associated with a degree.