I think there's something to be said about both systems. A rigid system like college definitely has its perks. While my work may not be 100% to my liking, I find that I have the skills to break down large problems and tackle them with efficiency. What college really taught me is that enjoyment is a state of mind. I often found myself complaining to myself about my work (biochemist here), thinking about how great life could be doing other things. What I found was that by instead focusing on what I was doing right now as best as I could and not thinking about the future I was able to find enjoyment in even the most mundane activities.

This has helped me tremendously in work and life outside of school. And while payment may be a concern, education doesn't have to cost tonnes of money--a private institution can be just as good as a community college. What really matters is what you put in and your ability to mine your resources. In the end, we all pay a price for our specialities--whether it be in the forms of time, money, or effort.