Also, people tend to forget that educated and intelligent are 2 very different things. In fact, many millionaires in this country have a HS diploma or less. I have met folks with masters degrees that I wouldnt bet could even tie their own shoes without help...and some of the most brilliant people I have ever worked with never finished high school. Especially older folks...people didnt falsely believe that a college education was good for everyone like they do these days. About half or more folks who go to college these days have no business there at all. Spend 150k to get a degree in African Womens Dance or philosophy...then go to work at Starbucks for $10 an hour while $150k in debt. Trade schools and community college trade programs with internships should have twice as many people they currently do...if not more. HVAC techs , licensed plumbers, electricians, welders, pipe fitters, refrigeration....a person can START at 50 to 60k a year straight out of their 6month school these days, and have a job in their field making most of that before they even finish schooling. Demand is way way more than supply for skilled trades. These guys pull down 100k a year after 2 to 3 years when they can drive their own truck for these companies, with benefits. Even more profitable if they have the means to start their own business in these fields. Meanwhile...the average architect, engineer, etc make about 60k to start after 4 years of school and 100k plus in debt. Those are the GOOD paying college degrees in STEM fields. Skilled trades have already bypassed most 4 year degrees in pay potential..for the 1st time ever...simply because parents think every kid needs college, and also most teens when asked what they want to do for a living reply with "some kind of office job making at least 100k..." they are scared to leave that climate controlled environment or break a sweat for a living. They want a desk and as little work as possible with huge paychecks. Good luck finding that...lol. There are certainly exceptions. My little bro got a nuclear engineering degree and has made killer money since day 1. There are only a handful of degrees with immediate earning potential like that however. Nearly all are STEM degrees, nearly none are "liberal arts"
TL;DR... Dont ever judge a book by its cover, and many blue collar trades make significantly more $ than 4 year degrees do these days. Even STEM degrees.
