No, the value of a college degree is that, at least when the graduate has taken college seriously, it provides education. You can be smart, successful, ambitious and curious and not go to college - but you probably won't be educated.
The absolute best and easiest way to become educated - if you care about that at all - is through college. This isn't some eternal mathematical truth. It's just that as of today, there are very few ways of getting education without going to college and learning from teachers who know the best way to approach a subject, and who can direct you to things that you in particular might find enlightening.
I think that's the real value of college, and unless you'd otherwise be poverty stricken, this value far exceeds that of the material gains.
The absolute best and easiest way to become educated - if you care about that at all - is through college. This isn't some eternal mathematical truth. It's just that as of today, there are very few ways of getting education without going to college and learning from teachers who know the best way to approach a subject, and who can direct you to things that you in particular might find enlightening.
I think that's the real value of college, and unless you'd otherwise be poverty stricken, this value far exceeds that of the material gains.