Cynically, the university education will be a much bigger boost to job opportunities than the public library books. Because you're right: university's primary p

Cynically, the university education will be a much bigger boost to job opportunities than the public library books. Because you're right: university's primary purpose is indeed signaling capability. A transcript and a diploma serve as proof of completing and doing acceptably on coursework, which self learning does not confer. And in some fields (e.g. military officer) a university degree is a requirement. My suggestion would be to get into a high caliber university, and drop out after one or two years if they can find full-time employment. The ability to get admitted into MIT, Ivy League, et. al. is about as good at signaling ability as it is to graduate. If I saw an applicant with 1 or 2 years of uni followed by full-time work, that'd be just as impressive as a graduate. That said, Reporting from the economist suggest that university is a net negative for ~15% of people, and ~25% of young men: https://www.economist.com/international/2023/04/03/was-your-degree-really-worth-it https://www.economist.com/international/2023/04/03/was-your-... People don't like to talk about it because it comes off as elitist, but someone going to a university with an >80% admissions rate isn't really effective at signaling capability. If one of my kids only got into such universities and didn't garner much in terms of grants and financial aid, I'd want him or her to seriously consider alternatives like trades, community college, or a technical boot camp.