My mother had only a high school education. She took a lot of professional training over the years ... real estate, income tax, investment planning ... but never got a degree.
Dad was valedictorian of his high school class ... of 7 students, in a tiny rural school. He got all his real education after he joined the Navy.
My mother never had the opportunities to increase her knowledge in a structured environment, but she READ, and she learned, and she taught us how to do the same.
And truth be known, I still miss her...