I worked 30 years as a teacher and coach before retiring 5 years ago. Getting the BA degree and adding a Masters a few years later paid off well for me.
But I'm not so sure it is the value it used to be. After I graduated in 1980 my 1st 4 months salary earned me enough to pay for 4 years of college. My son graduated HS in 2007. For him to go to the same college, graduate in 4 years with the same degree, and go into the same job, it would take about 40 months salary to pay for the 4 years tuition.
He went to 3 different colleges in 3 years and realized it just wasn't gonna work. He was accepted into an Elecrical Apprenticeship program and will finish in 1 more year. He is making more money right now than most of the other guys he went to HS with that have college degrees and when he finishes his training will be making about 80% of what I earned my last year before retiring.
