[chris1]

College today is the saddest and cruelest hoax on the middle class. I know many many many plumbers painters dry wall fence mechanic's etc who are making far more than college grads and have no debt or school loans. College is a farce today because these kids come out learning and knowing nothing helpful in terms of employment. It is another transfer of wealth to the elites.

[Mad Dawgg]

"College is a farce today because these kids come out learning and knowing nothing helpful in terms of employment. It is another transfer of wealth to the elites."

"If you want a degree, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library." --- Paul Henry Gettles

[secks]

Men working in the construction trades can expect to top out at about $50k/year (thanks to unions). That's after working for awhile. Don't forget the hazardous working conditions. So, no .. they aren't making "far more than college grads".

[Prolifeconservative]

My son tells me all the time how sad it is to see these highly degreed kids go and become waiters as restaurants upon graduation.

Just for the simple sake of a financial arguement, who comes out better in this scenario: the doctor who spent 12 years of his life choosing to be educated instead of earning, incurring 100,000 dollars of debt in the process, but eventually getting an enormous salary OR the guy who finishes high school, learns his trade, goes into a drywall business, proceeds prudently in all areas of his life as far as finances?

I have my suspicions who trumps who in this make believe scenario, but will keep my opinions to myself so as not to offend those highly educated indiviuduals who think they are triumphant over that little guy who has contracted to pave his driveway.

[only1percent]

The problem isn't college but (some of) the people who go there.

The tradesmen (plumbers, etc.) who make very good money are, by and large, smart, skillful, and hard working. The people who go to college and DON'T eventually make good money are, by and large, just plain not smart enough or hard working enough to make it in the professions.

I am quite certain that almost all of the very good and very prosperous tradesmen I've met would have, had they been properly encouraged while children, gone on to college and been very successful in the professions or in a higher level of business -- and be much, much richer than they are now.

Still, if it happens that you are dumb or lazy, college is still a good bet for you. A dumb or lazy tradesman won't last two weeks. A dumb or lazy guy with a bachelors degree can earn $40k or $50k and full benefits once he weasles his way into a soft spot in some government or corporate bureaucracy somewhere.