well a bachelors degree today is the equivalent of a HS degree for the previous generation. Most people dont even use their degrees, it is more a measure used for salary calcualtion and to separate the rice from the husk.
Absolutely correct, and rightly so. No one, and I do mean no one can force their kid to earn a degree (especially an engineering degree). The degree means that the kid has 'learned to learn' and is not a quiter.
In my field, I don't expect a 'fresh out' to begin to earn their salary for nearly a year on the job. That means, with salary, benefits, vacation, 401K, sick leave, ect .... I'm investing about $100K on every fresh-out that I hire. I don't want the person to have a bad day, and throw up their hands and leave; I want a person who will persevere, who will learn and grow. Statistically speaking, I'm more likely to find those traits in a college graduate.