College is ridiculously expensive because of government backed student loans, and that's a problem needing fixed. However, beyond that, it is the expectations s

College is ridiculously expensive because of government backed student loans, and that's a problem needing fixed. However, beyond that, it is the expectations students have (created from a variety of sources) that really are the crux of the problem. The expectation is that if I study X in college I get to do X professionally after that. Which is utterly untrue. It is the fantasy the colleges sell you on, and it is important to help high school students understand this. Go study film in college if you want to know about film. Same with many, many other fields. It will transform your understanding of yourself and the world, and that is amazing. But just don't do it with the belief that you can study some obscure corner of history and then go make a living with that knowledge. If you want to get a job and support your life financially, then go into college with a different mindset. Be mercenary, figure out what you are good at that you can stand doing, and then compare that to the needs in the world, then develop the knowledge and skills in college that help you do that. And don't forget, it might be that college doesn't have what you need! Or only specific colleges. Notice I don't say "follow your passion" - I think that's generally cruddy advice. Most people will be far happier finding what they are good at that society values. Passion for it will come later. Being good at something feels really good, when that something is rewarded by our culture. If you are truly a "follow your passion" kind of person - you'll figure that out, because those kind of people can't not follow their passion. Their passion drives them, but they are exceedingly rare. Don't worry about it if you aren't that kind of person - many that I know that are like that often feel trapped by their passion. Especially if it is a passion that doesn't align with society's values. College is a tool, find out if it is a tool that matches your life, and find that out by talking to people that have been through it, not by consuming media and university propaganda! To be clear: I think going to college is awesome, and if you can afford it, study something you love, but with the understanding that you are doing it to make yourself a better human, not because of a financial benefit. I'd much rather work with someone that went to film school, and then learned coding online and is now a software developer and finds enjoyment in software where possible, and then uses the money to enjoy film in their own personal, idiosyncratic way. Then someone that went to school for CS, but really has no interest in the field, and is just another dull, unhappy drone.