Well, depends on what you want to get out of college…
If you just go to college to get a degree in Being Smart, then it's probably not worth it.
Also, if you're not Asian, this probably won't apply too much, but going to college just to be a doctor or lawyer isn't really worth it (well, unless you want to be a lawyer or doctor, but you know, for the most part parents). If you really want to be successful, go do something you love rather than have a cash cow and hate it, or even ambivalent about. I'm really saddened by all the parents who have "planned out" their kids' lives…though I have no right to judge, it just makes me kinda sad inside :(
for me I'm good with just education and not having anyone give me a degree over it, so if I can learn stuff without college, I don't really need college. Depends on how "readily available" education in the field you want to be in is.
At the end of the day, a job is a job. Though, one shouldn't dread it, why not be complacent as long as its a high paying career. The only jobs I would
enjoy would be low paying jobs, that are essentially hobbies. I do take issue with some of the "lessons" from Glee as well as MANY different television programs and films that we should do as our hearts desire. In actuality this mindset is setting kids up to fail. The push for encouraging children to pursuit their dreams in acting, singing, music, dancing, art, and other related fields does more harm than good for the child as well as our civilization. Further, jobs in fields such as Accounting or Law just to name a couple, are generally not enjoyable, but they are important for society and we reward those who work in these fields with higher wages. I'd hate to live in a world where people put dreams before reality. Or where people only applied for a job that they enjoyed.
I don't think it's worth it. As I've researched and found out about many high-paying jobs that do not require any college whatsoever, you just go through training provided by the jobsite or by any means neccessary. I'm probably going to be the only person in my graduating class who has no plans to attend college whatsoever. Plus, I wouldn't feel safe at any college with all the incidents I keep hearing about. I've also heard that many subjects taught at many colleges can be self-taught. But, if anybody wants to go to college, then go right ahead; I respect your decision.
Though to earn high wages you don't have to go to college, the person with a degree will always have an advantage. For instance, an air traffic controller position earns 6 figures and doesn't require a degree, but without a degree or extensive job experience in that field, your application is likely to be passed over 99.9% of the time. This goes for most high or average paying jobs that don't
require a degree. I mean, even the position of congressman or president in the U.S doesn't require a degree of any kind, but since the 20th century the vast majority of these positions has been held by those with a degree.
Self-taught doesn't always help with employment. Statistics show that those with degrees earn much higher wages and are more employable. Additionally, many skills cannot be self-taught or may only be self-taught to those with abnormally high aptitudes.
Safe? You are more likely to be killed on the highway than on a college campus. Actually, you might be more likely to be killed in your home than on a campus. The incidents are so few it shouldn't really be a factor. Just like it shouldn't be a concern to go to a movie theater or ride a plane if you are willing to drive in a car.