[Always *]

My circumstances are different because my parents both have high paying jobs, so they were able to cover the costs that my brother and I incurred while in university without it impacting their own finances (e.g. they've bought a new property, car, boat, and travel a fair bit as well as knowing they'll be comfy cozy in retirement). I'm not trying to come off as a spoiled brat, that's just how it is for me and I am so fortunate to benefit from such a privileged position.

However, in Canada, where I live, universities are also massively subsidized by the government in ways that many people do not realize. For example, 1 year of university at an undergraduate level usually costs $7000 to $14000 a year in Canada versus probably $20000 or more in the States (sorry if I am blowing that out of proportion for the USA but I know Stanford and schools like that can cost even more then that a year so yeah). In addition, there are tons of opportunities for student loans and stuff in Canada so it makes university and/or college more accessible than it would be in a lot of other countries.

I think that no matter how you spin it, university is an amazing investment. It costs a lot, but you're going to get so much out of it intellectually and be in a much better position for better jobs and have more opportunity for advancement opportunities in the future. While it is true you can be successful without a degree, it is much harder to get skilled, high paying jobs without a degree. My university degree is the best thing I have ever done.