Addition: It sounds like I came down hard on the pro-college side. I actually do think colleges can do more, faster and cheaper. But, I also don't think we have a plug and play alternative for the average 18 year old and average parents.
OTOH, if you want to roll your own and you are willing to spend college levels of time and money, it's fertile ground for a motivated eccentric. Get a private tutor. Many awesome PHD students will happily teach you one-on-one for <$50 ph. Find 5 friends and buy 15 hours per week for $150. That's $2k-$3k per semester. Follow a curriculum. elearning tools. Roll your own hazing. It could end up cheaper/faster/better than college.
If you say no to college, what's your alternative. "Learn yourself to X" just isn't enough.
OTOH, if you want to roll your own and you are willing to spend college levels of time and money, it's fertile ground for a motivated eccentric. Get a private tutor. Many awesome PHD students will happily teach you one-on-one for <$50 ph. Find 5 friends and buy 15 hours per week for $150. That's $2k-$3k per semester. Follow a curriculum. elearning tools. Roll your own hazing. It could end up cheaper/faster/better than college.
If you say no to college, what's your alternative. "Learn yourself to X" just isn't enough.