The approach American education has taken is that everyone should go to college. High School is primarily set up to funnel kids to college. So many kids go to College because they don't know what else they should do. This trend is changing as more schools are offering and pushing technical training as opposed to college. College should not be the default - it should be a conscious decision.

Consider this: every year tens of thousands of kids graduate with degrees in some variety of "music." What do you do with a music degree? Is there really a need for thousands of Tuba players every year? Of course not. But these kids are told to "follow your passions." Some of these music majors are making money on Youtube now, but the majority are working at occupations for which no college degree is needed to pay off their massive student debt. Some go on to get PhDs. They need to perpetuate the game so they have a job and convince new students to "follow your passions."

There is nothing wrong with studying music, art history, or female studies if that is your passion. But do you need to pay thousands of dollars to read Sylvia Plath? I mean, your local library will give you her writings for free. In a world where information is more available than ever, does it make sense to pay onerous fees to get that information?

The real value for a music degree (or many degrees) is not the information, it is the connections. If you want to play Jazz music, go to Berklee. Not because Berklee is inherently better at teaching, but because you make connections to help you work. Can't get into Berklee? Take a hint that a career playing notes that don't fit may not be for you.