The ROI (return on investment) on college is pretty good, and will get better as time goes on. The time spent working while in college is time away from studying and getting good grades, and since grades translate into a better job, well, do the math. Some work while in college is a good idea, like 10 hours per week, but much more and you will not have the time to dedicate to your studies, and consequently to your money making career objectives.

There have been studies done that show college grads make over a million more dollars in their lifetime than people with only high school diplomas. You definitely have to sometimes make sacrifices, such as working while you go to school, not having all the luxuries, such as cable tv or going out all the time. You might even have to suffer though living with a roomate to make ends meet, but in the end, you usually make more money and work less hours. My husband and myself had to take turns going to college. I went fulltime for four years, while my husband worked fulltime, and was a partime student. Then when I graduated, we switched off and I put him through school, while I worked. We both have great careers and get to enjoy our time together, go on trips, and own nice extras, like two SUVs and a skiboat. College was good to us in the end.

They say you can tell a college graduate from a non college graduate by the way they can organize their time. Buts it more than just that. A college graduate shows an employer he/she can finish what they started, are responsible and can learn and possible lead. Depending on the degree program, I believe it is much better to go full time school and work part time. Getting an internship in your field would be ideal.

The trade-off? Again, depending on the degree, would an employer hire a college grad or someone who has experience? There are variables, age, how much experience, how new the education is etc. You can never take away an education. Go to work, get a job, go to college get a career.