The fact is, people perceive trades as socially inferior to white collar careers requiring college. This is completely independent of earning potential, mind.

The fact is, people perceive trades as socially inferior to white collar careers requiring college. This is completely independent of earning potential, mind. And software engineering is mostly a trade. The fact that you do it indoors, in offices, without getting your hands dirty is deceptive; it's conceptually very similar to construction, mechanics, plumbing, etc.