Consider, my local Community College costs only $1,500 per semester, and there are about 15 or so Associates Degrees (2 year programs) which will qualify a person for $40,000-$70,000 jobs--that is one hell of an input-output ratio compared to the 'traditional'/conformist advice given to the kids. Also, the credits apply equally in all areas, so once one gets an Associates Degree in one area, it is much easier/shorter route to get another in a related area. Then, a young adult could build up several such degrees while still very young (i.e. low twenties) at which point it would become nearly inconceivable they would not always have a solid paying job to fall back on for the rest of their lives--all without paying the absurd 4 year cost directly out of High School (btw, it is generally not '4 years' anymore, but often well more than 4). Furthermore, the A.S. degrees set up if they ever did want to pursue more advanced degrees, then they have a good chunk of the B.A./B.S. completed already without the first half cost; then, they could make that decision when they are closer to mid twenties range and actually able to think clearly about making such a significant life decision (of taking out a lot of money in loans for a B.A./B.S. and possibly higher i.e. M.A./M.S., PhD).

I am arguing that it is much wiser for young adults fresh out of High School to first get an AA/AS and wait until their mid-twenties to make such a huge life decision as taking out $50,000-$100,000+ loans for a BA/BS and (possibly) beyond, if desired.

Note: An Associate Degree is a 2 year degree from a Community College or is often offered in connection with many Satellite Campuses to major Universities such as Penn State, for example

Associate Degree .

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/highest-paying-jobs-without-degree.asp