Also, if you are over the age of say 50 and did not go to college you might have a good excuse...finances. Back in the day you had to have money or REALLY good grades to be able to swing it. Plenty of smart folks were not in that position. Rich boys went college, poor boys went to work...

Today college is extremely easy to get into and pay for (state schools) and most students can get grants, scholarships, etc. I don't have a lot of sympathy for anyone today who says he "can't afford it" when what he really means is that he makes good money doing construction and doesn't want to waste his leisure time on classes and studying. I know too many people who worked menial jobs AND went to school full time to have much sympathy for those unwilling to do both.