There’s an even better way. An internship. Work for a company while you go to college for a lower hourly wage, but get a stipend for the months you’re going to class. Then after you graduate, work for that company a year for each year you spent in college at competitive salary. I did that and graduated in four years as an engineer - debt free.
That is a excellent idea.
Not only internships, but those in high demand fields like Medical can put in 5 yrs in under served Rural areas which have no doctors.
I live a 2 hr round trip from quality medical. There is 1 child dentist, 1 Pediatric Dr, 1 GP. 2 Pharmacies, 2 Physios and 1 rarely has cars there. We have to go into Memphis for doctors and hospitals. Then you have to watch which hospital you chose, Methodist North is in a high crime dope area where they openly smoke the crap under the hospital porch lights at night.
Hubby taught Jr College for 20 yrs sure didn’t make 6 figures they make now and he retired as head of his department.