If you need a degree for your personal vision, there are ways to get around most of the programming. For example, you can skip a large chunk of your lower division online, by using the ACE credit transfers, or the similar CLEP exams through a community college transfer degree agreement. Its all possible, but the hardest part is often the physical sciences and similar, since they are often in person.

The true problem of education is the over-selling of it. In many cases, it's simply not required. In other cases, it's a must. FAFSA handing out loans like candy really destroyed the relationship between student and college. That economic balance is toast.

Remember, the reason capitalism is so important is that its the closest relationship between oneself and products/services. While this seems superficial, it truly is not. Think about it, observe it in reality, and then apply those same relationships to the student:college relationship. One will quickly see how one-sided that has become due to the government intercepting that balance.