Is College a Scam?

I've had this discussion a few times with the pops and always run into the same problem. It's not quite a scam, but too many people are told that it's their key to success and happiness. Let's face it, we all knew a few people in high school that might have been a few tacos short of a fiesta yet, at least in my experience, we all got pushed and prodded onto the college track. Not to say that they had no hope, but for some people, college just isn't a practical next step.

School isn't for everyone. C's and D's from a state school aren't going to impress any employer and no matter how thick skinned you are, continuously finding yourself at the bottom of the class won't help your confidence. Furthermore, spending upwards of 40k for a below average resume won't improve your future either. There are always those people that say that a degree is a degree no matter what, but the real fact is that many people have a much better chance making good money in a trade than struggling through a job that you just have a more difficult time grasping. Especially after already spending much more than a years salary on that education.

Now, in no way am I saying that people shouldn't go to college or shouldn't consider it. It helps countless people, is a great achievement, and frankly I wouldn't be near where I am now without it, BUT not everyone can say that. In fact, I would bet there are a lot of people who are cursing their debt while they can't get a job in their field and are stuck doing a job they could have gotten straight out of high school, plus gigantic debt. It's a tight rope to walk and it's specific to each person. Some people will come out of high school and thrive. Some people who thrived in high school will flounder. All I'm saying is that college isn't and shouldn't be your only option. While it helps some, it hurts others and you have to be honest with yourself. The link below is to an article that goes much farther into detail about the topic, questioning statements and data supporting colleges and supporting grants that encourage entrepreneurship over college education...whichever side you land on,  it's an interesting discussion that should be figured out.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/07/06/the_college_scam_110470-2.html