Addendum.

I almost feel like we're back in the days of where you need an in where someone puts in a word for you at the local factory, only, maybe you should aim for a job in the state or local government, where there's stability and benefits and maybe a pension.

Otherwise, with debt so high and employment so risky, especially with outsourcing and weak labor laws and stagnant wages with the bottom rising, why would you bet on investing a lot of time and money in your education?

If you did get a good scholarship somewhere or a reasonably-priced education at community colleges or regionals, you'd have to be very super, super savvy at picking sectors and trying to get internships, hopefully in a growing sector like eldercare or maybe green energy where you could ideally set yourself up for mobility and in-demand jobs.