I have two masters degrees (software engineering and space systems management). Those, along with my undergrad math degree, helped me qualify for the jobs I've held since graduation. For me, the degrees were worthwhile.

Likewise, my wife is a registered nurse. She worked her way up through the ranks, starting as a Nurse's Aide, then earning her LPN, RN (ADN), and BSN. Her degrees have allowed her to work as a nurse.

It depends on what your son is trying to get out of his education. There are many jobs out there that pay quite well and don't require a degree. For example, one of my brothers is a master machinist and welder. Steve was a high school dropout with a GED, but he worked hard over the years to become very good at his craft. He was once hired for a job that required a masters degree in engineering. They hired him because they knew he could do the job even if he lacked the formal education. He's that good. He earns more than I do as a senior software engineer and he's worth every penny. You don't have to have a college degree to make a good living.

College can and should be more than job training. For some areas like engineering and medicine, there's no alternative but to go to college. For others, it simply isn't necessary. However, a good college can prepare your son for more than just getting a job. Getting a job requires having marketable skills, like my wife and brother. Simply getting a degree in French Literature isn't going to get you very far in the working world unless you have something to offer.

I told my two stepsons that when it comes to making a living, it's far more important to have a marketable skill than a degree. One listened, one didn't, but I guess that's par for the course. The one that listened is a surgical tech in the Navy. He's about to finish an associates degree and wants to go on to nursing school. His goal is to be a CNA or PA. He married a wonderful woman who is very supportive of his goals. She's also a lawyer, so she knows the value of an education.