My husband and I agree that if our child(ren) decide to go to a local community college, they could live at home rent free provided they were getting good marks and had a part time job to pay for their other expenses.

I got through 4 years of college in 4.25 years by going to night school. I started at the local community college (aka junior college) and then I transfered to a state college that had a local satellite campus for their school of business. The 10k was just for the state school and that was for 1.5 years. For community college I paid out of pocket and got grants through the school so fortunately I don’t have any debt from that degree. However, student loans were not an option at that school being that it was part of the Seattle Community college district and they were cut off from that funding in the mid 90’s (default rate was too high).

I also worked full time during the day up until my last 2 weeks of school when I was laid off (no biggie, I had already started a job search). I had to work hard to balance my life and I had absolutely no free time (aka no social life which can be hard on a 20-something).

I guess my point is that college is not for everyone and/or timing is the key. My husband started taking classes at the community college shortly after we met (I was in my 2nd year) but after a year he was not making a lot of progress and I told him to quit because he was wasting money. Like your husband, mine is also in the computer industry so I completely agree with your point.

I think the course of study is another huge deal. Too many people (at least in the Seattle area) have liberal arts degrees and that is just as valuable as a HS diploma lol.

Have you contacted your school (or a college nearby) to see what it would take to finish your degree, even if its in general studies? I had a friend do that and its better than nothing. Even if you take one class at a time and pay for it out of pocket, at least you would finish.