it's worth it if the field you're going into has jobs. If you have an MD, you'll get a job. If you're a dentist, you'll get a job. The 4 year degree with a specialization will get you a job. However, a trade will more likely get you a position (plumber, electrician etc). A friend of mine is an electrician an he makes 100k a year.

It all depends how much debt a person accrues to attain his/her degree. I also agree that a plumber, electrician etc. can make good money also by going to a trade school.

I heard a lot of great advice (financial advice) on this very subject yesterday. I forget the ladies name but she wrote a book about debt free living. And people were calling in about how much debt they are takng on for college. I know it has happened to my daughter. She *had* to go to a very expensive college, when we tried to get her to start off smaller by going to a community college...she didn't listen...now has a lot of debt and has had to put school on hold because. I think learning a trade which somewhere along the way was given a bad rap is a great way to get started in life and not overwhelm yourself with debt. I went to nursing school which took forever to repay and then did not want to be a nurse...We have a contract with a high end car dealership who are hurting for qualified mechanics right now. I think learning a trade will come back. And I think people will begin to go that route again. The discussion yesterday was on a show called IN The Market case anyone wants to listen. One of the things she said was to do everything you can NOT to take out student loans as the interest begins as soon as you sign the dotted line. She also said if you can't pay on your loans right away, at least pay the interest. I just think if you are going to go into college you better do your homework. I am all for learning a trade first. I am curious as to what is costing these astronomical costs. They say 80% goes to the wages of the professors. Hmmmmm

another good point you brought up going to school for nursing then not wanting to be a nurse. Why get so much debt for a job you may not want eventually.

i saw another video that maks a few good points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B22tUg1Lsc8
it addresses why tuition has gone up so much. government is in the whole thing.

BTW I did work as a student loan collection for about a month a few years ago. hated it. I hate calling people asking for money. I'd rather sell them something.

I meant, have them call me and ask me to ship them something for money. i don't want to be a telemarketer cold calling people

I went to a community college to be a nurse. Tried to make it through their RN program, but dildn't make it. (VERY tough school.)

On the plus side....no debt. I paid cash along the way.

As for nursing school, I highly recommend working as an aide first. It helps you understand what they do and how hard it is, and you gain valuable skills.....and...you'll get a good idea if you'll like it or not. Personally, I love nursing.

There's no one-size-fits-all answers to this question or life....

I watched your video Jeff, I don't know about other schools, but we were given a list of books that we'd need, and told that it was fine to get ones a year or two out of date.

As for how elementary and high schools prepare kids, my kid's schools have had my kids learning the internet and how to think from grade 3 or so.

Also the Amish don't even educate their kids past grade 8, and they often run multimillion dollar businesses without even using the internet or modern technology at all.......

There's no one-size-fits-all answers to this question or life....

So true but that isn't what is being said politically wise nor to college kids.

Well I guess it would depend on the high school that you're going to and what parents you have.

I know for one, that they don't sell the most expensive colleges like crazy around here, nor do very many kids go to prep schools.

College is like anything else.....they'll sell you as much as you'll buy. It's best to do your research and know what you want going in.....then work like heck once you're there.