[footfootfoot]

I went to college when I was 32. I tell every college age kid who asks my opinion, not to bother with college, especially if they want to be a photographer. Take the $ you'd spend for a crap education (it will be a crap education having taught at a number of colleges and with family and friends who teach--this is another topic for another thread) and use it to buy used photo gear, make lots of pictures and show them to as many pros who will look, go to galleries and show them your pictures, practice, and read books on technique. Go to shows and ask questions, the dumber the better. Get a job in a photo studio, then get a job in another studio, keep learnign from as many people as you can. One month of OTJ in a studio will equal two years in the best photo program (maybe not RIT)

I imagine the same would hold true for nearly any profession. The exception is probably if you are wealthy enough to not consider the cost of college, then college is a must because that is where you will join the right fraternity and forge important political ties and marry the right sort of person.

Just my .02, but an undergrad degree is the new high school diploma and the master's is the new undergrad degree.