Honestly, if I didn't want to study medicine, I'd have went straight to the Air Force after high school. College is essential when it comes to obtaining skills that will help you procure a "professional" career, but if you're going just to go and don't have on plan, it's better to join the military or take up a trade. My boy has an absolute useless major and is back home because he burnt out, but he is still a year and some change from graduating, yet he's saddled with thousands of dollars of debt. In this economy, it's just not worth it if you're not going for something that you need to use college for as a stepping stone. I do agree with whoever stated that there are tremendous networking opportunities at university. You make friends and rub elbows with the right people, and they will look out for you down the line.