It’s a shame that education has become so transactional. I was lucky enough to have a scholarship, but if I’m fortunate enough to pay full-ride for my kids when they’re old enough, and they’re at a place where they seem ready to get the most out of it, I’d spend that money in a heartbeat. Not because I think we’d see a dollar value return on the investment, something coldly transactional. But because I was lucky enough to see firsthand the value of that experience.

And it was lucky, because the vast majority of people are under a ton of financial stress for something that hasn’t provided a clear return on investment.

So what I would caution is this: don’t write off college. But also don’t write off the enormous financial burden you may be taking on. If you’re young and have a shot at a scholarship, really consider it! A lot of the negativity around college is financially driven, but the experience of getting a truly rounded education is invaluable. As well as the friendships you make.