This is good advice and all, but the problem is many people can't afford to go to college with just two responsibilities like you have listed. Going to college and working to help pay for it SUCKS. Some of the most miserable bits of my life were weeks on end of no sleep because I had a job and midterms/finals.
So, if you have a well off family or you are willing to go $60k in debt and make it the most fun experience of your life, then that is one thing. But for a large portion of practical people who realize the implications of $60k in unsubsidized school loans, college is a rough four years.
You make a fair point; everyone has to do their own cost/benefit analysis. I just wanted to challenge the chronic devaluation of some of college's intangible benefits. Some life experiences are worth more than money, and I've heard more than a few older folks refer to the best things in their lives as: 1. Kids, 2. Marriage, 3. College.
I agree. I am not discounting what I learned from college, which was how to suffer through and reach a goal. Can't discount that experience too much :)
So, if you have a well off family or you are willing to go $60k in debt and make it the most fun experience of your life, then that is one thing. But for a large portion of practical people who realize the implications of $60k in unsubsidized school loans, college is a rough four years.