Depending on skills and inclination, pursuing the right degree at the right university has an expected value very much in excess of $100k over what you might ot

Depending on skills and inclination, pursuing the right degree at the right university has an expected value very much in excess of $100k over what you might otherwise do. E.g. if you want to be a lawyer and could use this money to pay your way to $PRESTIGIOUS, instead of going to $PODUNK, consider that. (Or, as patio11 says, if you'd otherwise not learn how to code, consider that.) (Be careful, though - American higher education can consume a lot of money and leave you with very little value. Be doubly careful with law in particular.)