Choose your path wisely. Remember If you have an opportunity to make good money when you are young do it. Live on a strict budget, and invest. All my friends who dropped out of college are doing very well most over 100k. They have bought house's and watched them appreciate. Some are making over 300k a year in real estate, and have invested in land They are talking about retiring at 30.
Just my experience, take it for what you will.

I have a good friend who just went off to med school, we often talk and wonder if we did the right thing. It will take me a long time to catch up, if ever. Its all about staying ahead of the curve. Once you get behind, its really hard to catch up. i.e. lots of debt, for a poor paying job.
It will take me a long time to catch up, if ever with my friends.