Even when I graduated, in a better economy, they payoff was questionable.  I work with a guy, same job as me, same pay as me, but he started as a low-skill entry level employee out of high school and moved up from there.   He started life without tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and he got 4 more years of earnings, and is 4 years ahead in life (will pay off mortgage 4 years earlier, retire 4 years earlier, etc.)   And since that time, the cost and payoff of going to university or college have just continued to diverge.  Besides, these days it's different.  Companies don't invest in their employees like they used to.  On the flipside you can get a legit degree online for free or close to free.  If learning rather than credentials is what you're after, you can learn your butt off for free online and in community settings these days.  Doesn't cost a penny.