[CatoRenasci]

The problem with reports such as this, which are true as far as they go, is twofold: 1) a college degree is a credential absolutely required in this society for further education and/or jobs (other than sales) above the menial level; and 2) one of the most important aspects of a college education is the the student body, in terms of mutual growth and learning and in terms of making future connections, whether in terms of a spouse, friends or long term social class.

Unless one comes from the highest reaches of inherited wealth (and possibly even then) it is impossible to achieve upper-middle class or higher social status in America without a degree from a "good" college or university.

[Stopislamnow]

Nah, become a entreprenuer. Find a product or service that is desired, make or supply it, use common sense, a lil luck, and then you can wipe your a$$ with college brochures in your 10 million dollar home.

[k2fourever]

I disagree. Although its becoming more difficult to reach the upper echelon of society without a degree, it is not impossible. My grandfather and his brothers, after WWII began a construction company, worked their tails off, and are now very comfortable. Not to mention their company is still running strong, employing thousands of Americans. My father also made himself what he is today. After graduating from High School, worked and saved and invested his money, without support from his family. He is now a very sucessful real estate developer. My older brother failed out of a state college, decided to go to work, and is now making a very good amount of money, again, without the help of my parents. The American Dream is still alive and strong, but only if people aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and do some work.

[wizardoz]

There's quite a bit Americans can do:

1). Send your kids to junior colleges for their associate's (thus removing a MAJOR source of revenue: tuition from freshmen and sophomores) and then transfer them, whenever possible, to conservative private colleges, usually Christian.

2). Steer your kids toward the hard sciences. Mathematics and Engineering are darn hard to turn into exercises in tree-hugging.

3). Tell your local representatives that higher education is fairly low on your budget priority list. Make it clear. When the budget ax falls on a university, the humanities are the first to go, because they don't pull in any money.

4). Make sure your kid is a spoiler in any BS class they have to take. Turn that child into a heat-seeking missile. Create a kid with guts who's willing to raise their hand and say things like "According the Wall Street Journal, there are enough empty buildings in NYC to house all the homeless, but they are boarded up because rent-control makes it impossible for the property owners to be able to afford the maintenance on a rented residence." Or "William Ayers may be a 'respected' Education professional now, but back in the 1960s, his girlfriend and their Weatherman buddies were killed by their own anti-personnel bomb that they were planning on using against civilians attending an Army dance at Fort Dix. The man is a terrorist and a criminal." One kid can completely destroy the stagnant atmosphere of relentless propaganda.

5). If you are a student, become part of student government and do your damndest to shoot down any implementation of new student fees to fund socialist medical coverage for frivolous crap like "free dermatology and weight control coverage" and "fine arts fees" that'll be used to bring Jello Biafra to your campus.

6). Read your local college paper and write in OFTEN with reasoned, point-by-point rebuttals of the drivel they generally publish.

[Carry_Okie]

Unless one comes from the highest reaches of inherited wealth (and possibly even then) it is impossible to achieve upper-middle class or higher social status in America without a degree from a "good" college or university.

Bill Gates is a college drop-out.

[Copernicus]

it is impossible to achieve upper-middle class or higher social status in America without a degree from a "good" college or university.

I believe neither Bill Gates nor Rush Limbaugh completed their College Education.

Best regards,

[speekinout]

Unless one comes from the highest reaches of inherited wealth (and possibly even then) it is impossible to achieve upper-middle class or higher social status in America without a degree from a "good" college or university.

Not really true. One of the important things about a "good" college or university is the networking ties you get there. Upper echelon universities have good connections, but they also have more graduates looking to take advantage of them.

Look at smaller schools, but do look for bios of the alumni. If you find a small, but not so expensive, college that has some distinguished alumni in a field you'd like to pursue, you can have the best of all worlds.

[LindaHarr]

Hi,
You are right that parents and kids go to a college often just not to miss out on being near higher class possible friends, contacts and spouses.
I have told my children this: I did not have any money, only debt after graduating from out-of-state college. My college friends lived all over the US and the world. I couldn't afford to go to their weddings. Well, you can't keep friendships that way! If you graduate from University with tons of debt, you can't afford whatever your new high class friends have in mind...meeting up in the Bahamas, going to their wedding in Tuscany...the high cost of Univerities has totally changed my mind on their worth.
LindaHarr

[RightOnline]

"...a college degree is a credential absolutely required in this society for further education and/or jobs (other than sales)..."

These days, in order to get a good sales position (in high tech, etc.), you'll find that you need a college degree. Sign of the times. Take it from one who has spent many, many years in just that.......high-tech sales.