Quote from fframe38:
However, now being the father of 2 sons who are both 13 (twins) and college is coming up - I have been planning for the cost of college and I must say it is ridiculous the levels that tuition have gotten to, even for state schools. My sons are not really in the engineering bent and to be honest at this point it is hard to see the cost/benefit working out for them for most degree possibilities. It is seeming more like an excessive tax at this point to even have a chance to compete. In other words, you aren't really rewarded much for the degree, you just avoid the penalty of not having one.
The recent college grads in our extended family came out to poor or low paying job prospects, large student loan debts, and basically a corporate environment that does not reward loyalty in any tangible way. It is no wonder that people are wondering why even go. Honestly, I sometimes think teaching my sons how to think for themselves and start a good business would be a better plan.
Not sure what the answer is, but college is not the obvious slam-dunk decision that it used to be.