A lot of it depends on what you want to go into when you are older.  Going to college wasn't really a choice for my.  My parents pretty much put me on that track because they didn't go themselves and that is what I did.  I don't regret it, but it didn't necessarily get me any farther ahead in life.  I have a friend that has zero college and she is the manager of a successful title company.  She makes more than my wife does and my wife has a Masters degree.  If I hadn't went to college, I probably would have went into something like HVAC technician and I would probably still be making more than I am today.  I know people who are doing the whole apprenticeship thing to be an electrician or plumber will be making huge amounts of money when they are finished.