I recently paid mine off after 11 years (thanks covid for putting me off track).

I went to an art school in the South and work today at a software company in sales.

Was the degree worth it? Eh, maybe, maybe not. It was expensive as fuck before federal help and scholarships, but I lucked out a bit.

I wouldn’t have made the lifelong friendships I have without it though. I wouldn’t have the appreciation for the arts without it. I wouldn’t have the global perspective on life I have without it.

you meet a lot of different people in higher education, and experience a lot of different viewpoints and ideas.

Financially these things weren’t “worth it” as I only did my art career for two years. But I think I’d be less of a well rounded individual if I went into the trades. I’d be less empathetic, less worldly, less willing to understand someone else’s views.

It was also a very expensive four year long party and vacation and I didn’t work nearly as hard as some others did.

I’ll never get the chance to do that experience again and I don’t regret it.

Those are just my feelings on it.