Part of the illusion is that you can't be a success or have a high paying job without a college degree. That simply isn't true. MANY of the highest paying jobs are those that require a high level of training; but do not necessarily require a college degree.
I remember when I was going through the TAP briefings. (Transition Assistance Program). It's briefing given to those getting ready to leave/retire from the military. The briefings including E-4 airman all the way to an O-6 Colonel. The person in charge of the briefing emphasized our "TRAINING" and NOT our Education. Make a long story short: A Lt. Colonel, Chief Master Sergeant, and myself all wound up working for the same company when we retired. They had a lot more "Formal Education" than I did. When we hired onto the company; I was making approximately $20,000 per year MORE than the Lt. Colonel or Chief. Why? Because I was an electronic technician and designer. They were administrators by nature. And none of the other techs I worked with at this company had a college degree. Yet, all of us made approximately between $80,000 - $100,000 depending on over-time.
I'm not saying that a college education isn't important. What it does, is give you more options. However; it is quite possible to make a very successful living without a college degree. But it does require training. The majority of electronic technicians; computer; carpenters; electricians; plumbers; mechanics; etc... make an extremely good living. They all have specialized training; but do not require a college degree.
I bring this up, because while a college degree isn't for everyone; I don't want people to believe that if they aren't a college grad and are a doctor, lawyer, or other notable profession, that they are in some "Low Paying - Dead End Job". Nothing could be further from the truth. I was easily making 6 figures a year, and I didn't require a college degree to do it. Do I have college degrees? Yes; but I can honestly say that for my profession and my level of success; I didn't need one of those degrees that I have.