My son who is a teacher encourages his students to think about being an electrician or plumber.

Not going to lie… As someone with a 4 year degree. I’m more on board with the husband’s perspective here.

Not a clear yes or no. Worth it for some, just crippling college debt is to be avoided.

As a welder college is not a waste of time. Surgeons, doctors, lawyers, accountants just a few examples of the many good degrees out there

He's not completely wrong, you must take worthless electives, you must take classes not relevant to your desired profession, and it costs so much to say you learned something for a test and basic skills for entry level jobs.

Short of STEM and professional degrees, yes college is a massive waste of time and money. Most BAs are worth about as much as used toilet paper. But the used toilet paper doesn't come with debt.

Depends on the degree. It also depends on the kid.

College is a investment. Select a degree that proves a return on the investment. Doctors, lawyers, engineers. Architecture and nursing require advanced knowledge and foundational skills. Especially specialization in these fields require additional studies. ♥

Let the children make their own career decisions, it’s their life. All you can do as a parent is your best to teach them work ethic and financial discipline. BUT the husband is correct that college degrees DO NOT equal financial success.

There is a big difference between being schooled vs being educated.

I would be hesitant to lock my money away for the exclusive use of paying for an institution that will absolutely have less value in 18 years.

“He’s wrong. I have anecdotal evidence to prove it. And I know a lot of celebrities and wrote some books.”

Don't all Dave's kids work for him.

These days, he is correct

Dave Ramsey i love you man!!! You keep it real!!

College or no college is such a tricky situation. There are only a few degrees that actually give you a good ROI such as engineers, doctors/healthcare, IT and accounting/finance. However, trades aren’t easy either. Everyone makes them sound easy to do, but they’re not. One mistake and you lose a customer and/or costs in materials. Also in trades, it’s tough to afford insurance if it’s your own business. Making a living is so complex anymore. And businesses have made obtaining decent paying positions a pain due to their required credentials and experience.

That’s insulting. I have a degree in left handed puppetry and it will make me famous one day.

College is a waste of money.

My parents had some dirt poor patches while I grew up. What my dad did was is he took half of my check each payday for four years while I was still in school and he put it into an ETF Fund. I worked for my college savings and I'd do it for my kids one day as well

Great topic!! Yes! Allocating some funds for college fund!! Money for Certification or College Course are a must in 2022. Thanks, Ramsey Team

How about asking the child which way THEY want to go?

It's waste i regret it

I believe in education, however, college is dying, and more expensive and in 15, 20 years I believe is going to be different.. That's the reason I'm founding a UGMA account that way my daughter can use it for college or a business, traveling, or whatever, sounds like a risk but my goal is to raise her responsible enough with money.

My husband has the same view as this father and I have the view of Dave here. Even though our kids were grown before we met, we have a hard time on this topic because of his belief that college is a waste of time. I think it is something created by people who really don't want to feel guilty about not contributing to their kid's education. For myself a college degree led to 30 years of a nursing career which I was so thankful for. My father or mother didn't pay for it but when my kids were little I made it a point to teach them that college was expected and reasons why. I contributed a third of the money, they had a third from scholarships and they paid for the other third working. It gave them buy in, but still helping them at the same time. I never regretted doing that and my children now have beautiful, successful careers and are happy.

Dave should sit through some classes these days. They’re a joke.

First time i disagree with Dave. I have five Kids all except one are college grads. The one doing the best is the one with no college and is self taught in computer programming and management. I had rules the most I would pay is instate tuition whether they went in state or not. If they got a scholarship and turns it down, they became responsible for their total tuition wherever they went. On did hand had to pay all of their in-state tuition.

Unfortunately my father is on that same boat "I did it on my own so can you".But he was given 200k when he turn 18, not sure where where the " I did it in my own" came from....

No one said you have to pay for all on your kids college. A split of 90/10 or 80/20 where the students has to work some has worked for many parents. Scholarships are out there, working during the summers, shows students that college is not just for more years of fun but a way to their future.

With the insane job requirements these days and lack of training programs, yes it is a waste of money.

College can be a waste of money. I know people who spent 10s of thousands of dollars and they dont have a job in the field that they took.

My wife earned an MSN degree, and I'm HS only and own a small construction company. We have four kids. The two oldest footed their own college bill and worked through school. Neither needed educational loans. I was shocked at how little time was needed to invest in classes to maintain a full-time student status. The amount of hours that were left over for work easily paid for the education. Parents, make your own decision, but don't feel guilty for expecting young adults to pay for post HS education, and don't let anyone tell you you're "wrong" to think that way.

He doesn’t “think” … college IS a HUGE waste of money.

I just graduated for free from a state university with a dual masters, because I am a war veteran and my state pays for veterans. I understand that I am in a very rare position and I worked hard to graduate - always try to find any way to get an education because it's something that you always have.

That’s beautiful Dave! You are a great guy! 💫

Just don't pay to get your kid a basket weaving degree like most people do.

I wish I had rich parents, I got nothing and wished I could of gone but I had to work full time since 17

The point is not the value of a dollar. The point is college is a waste of money.

I too think college is a waste. These days you don’t get offered much for entry level jobs even with a degree. I would rather be gifted a 45k house than a 45k education that pays me less then a factory worker

lol dave "I paid for my kids college" yea your rich lol lol

The husband is right on this one. Most degrees are worthless. A degree doesn’t guarantee success in the real world.

I think if college is required to reach your goal then it’s worth it. Do not go to college without a career goal

Your husband is right!

I wish Dave would post more real estate videos. Buy Now! So funny, I love those.

Doesn't Dave kids work for him? You don't need a degree if your dad is worth 300 million come on Dave

There is more to college than recouping your money. I enjoyed my college years and was glad I attended. It also was really easier for me to move from job to job, compare to my coworkers who only had a HS diploma.

My parents offered to help with college, but I refused to accept it and worked through college and paid for it myself without student loans(STEM degree)… I save for my kids, but they can use that money when they need it, either for college, weddings, buying a house, or starting a business… will be up to them what the best use of that money is.

My kids are CPA’s so college is not worthless.

Husband is right, go get them loans and let them compound you into debt 🤣

Your husband is correct. I haven't watched the video yet.

Most degrees are a waste of money unless it’s STEM.

About 60% of college graduates did not need to go to college. Yes trades are an option, but not everyone wants a trade, some want "professional" degrees, be it STEM, medical, law, many areas of business, they all need that education. I personally am not saving for my child's education. I am saving for his future, in a way that doesn't require him to use it for education, but he can, instead, use it in a way to further his adult life and give him a head start in life. It prevents him from needing to be forced into doing something he hates just for the money

What I would ask Dave Ramsey is what is someone supposed to do with an ESA if a kid chooses another career path other than college? By law, ESAs can only be used for college expenses. Are the parents supposed to get Master's degrees to spend the money?

well he's not wrong

College was great for my kids. We paid for most and my kids borrowed very little - just a few thousand. They are both benefitting from that.

His father is saying that because he can’t afford it lol

The reason she called is to get Dave on her side. Now she has a weapon for an argument. Dave said you're full of crap! Without asking what your financial circumstances are and contradicting the purpose of his program which is to avoid debt. Retirement?

COLLEGE IS A WASTE OF MONEY!

Success is living on your own terms. The best thing you can invest into your kid as a dad is your time and wisdom.

I manage a retail department store and I have so many people with English and Psychology degrees working for me. If you don’t know what you want to do get a business degree. It’s what I did and I make well over six figures now. Business is broad.

I really wish George and Rachel would have taken this call.

These days I think the best thing I can do for my kids is be very well-funded for retirement instead of being focused on a college fund. There are lots of ways to get an education. There are not a lot of ways to be ready if you are suddenly sick or disabled before a normal retirement age. I do not want to struggle financially in retirement or during an illness while a big chunk of money is sitting in a college fund. That puts a hardship on an entire family in ways that merely not having a college fund will not. I did not have a college fund. I worked two jobs while going to school full time. As a millennial, those two jobs were not enough and I still struggled financially and went into debt. But it is better to struggle when you are young than to run out of money when you are older. I actually do want to help my kids with school as much as possible. But I know they need financially stable parents and that needs to come first if we are going to be in a position to help as much as possible. I’m the interest of putting on my own oxygen mask before putting on someone else’s, I truly feel the best gift to my children will be to have parents that are stable enough to offer money on an as-needed basis, rather than parents that hand them a large fund at 18 that could end up blown on unnecessary classes at an overpriced party college. If I have the money and I help as needed I also get to set parameters, such as cutting the funding if a child makes dangerous decisions and starts getting out of control in college. In the meantime, I am researching all the options for universities that provide a good value as well as companies that offer tuition reimbursement. I want to give my children the best advice possible when they are ready for college or the trades. Having graduated during the recession, I know in the real world companies are more interested in your work history than wherever you got your degree. The president of the first company I worked for told me I made it to the top of the stack of applications because they saw I worked two jobs while going to school full time. That hard work paid off in a recession where hundreds of applicants were vying for a handful of spots.

I graduated college and I agree it’s a waste of time. It’s causing young students to fall victim of dept most will never dig their way out of student loans.

Cant stop learning!....it may actually be an addiction at this point!! Lol

Dave dropping the B bomb 😂💪🏾

I totally agree with him.

As someone who paid for my own college, I'm with the husband. Things that are given have less value than things that are earned.

Here’s the thing. If you do save that money for college and they end up in trades or start a small business, then it would be a good thing to have 100 or 200K regardless

The kid isn't his. She told us by accident. The husband must know.

Unless you're going to be a doctor or a lawyer or something like that then college is indeed a waste of money

Remember, Bill Gates is a college dropout. I think he ended up doing OK though.

My parents didn’t pay for my college even though they had money to do so. It’s not something that bothers me. Would it have been convenient? Of course, but they led me down a good path. I would say that if your parents are paying for your school you might take it for granted or want to go to an expensive school because it’s not your money. My parents did give me a place to stay, while I worked and went to school. My opinion is that to each it’s own. As long as you raise your children well things will work out just fine

This is the only subject I know of where Dave struggles to come up with a clear, concise answer. His and John's "answer" here is basically word salad, a grab bag of anecdotes and slogans that includes some useful insights but nothing like the simple programs he offers in other areas.

This may sound totally sexist and I don't mean it to because women can do it, but generally don't.. College is more important for girls to go to. A guy has a much higher likelihood of becoming a plumber welder etc and make good money with no degree. Those types of jobs just don't appeal to women. The women that don't go to college are not paid as well generally because the fields that are more girl filled (thinking child care receptionist etc) aren't good paying jobs.. so I'm probably going to push college more for my two girls than my sons.

I won’t say he’s wrong BUT my husband and I went to a state school with scholarships and then grad school that pays a stipend and pays your tuition. I now have my PhD (later than I would’ve liked) and am now learning about financial freedom. But we are ahead of the curve by having zero college debt.

The husband is right

I actually completely agree with the dad

I got a bachelors in construction management. Only reason I went to college was due to my father's inheritance of GI Bill benefits so I only paid 5k the whole 4 years. Without that, I wouldn't even look at a college application. If your in a position like this tho, please take it! A lot of people would kill for the opportunity

I’m a tradesman myself and I got no college degree and I make more money than my friends and family who have masters degree.

529 money can be used for trade school. It can also be converted into a Roth IRA if they don’t use it.

I'm with the husband.

Why not encourage him to set aside a certain amount of money that is their "get life started" gift, to be used as they see fit (with whatever limitations you see fit) for a house down payment, college, trade school, small biz kickstarter, whatever. It leaves their options open and doesn't make college a sacred cow. Couple it, if you are willing, with an offer to live at home for low/no rent for their first working year or so to save a nest egg of their own and they will start out life on a truly good footing whatever they choose.

The husband has a good point. Maybe if Dave did not pay for Rachel's college education, she wouldn't be a spoiled brat lol xD

Find a company that will pay for college classes while you work,

I wouldn't use Dave's language, but he is 100% right that it's going to be hard for a kid to learn the value of a dollar if he never has a dollar.

Your husband is correct. Have them get scholarships, if they are not smart enough to get some they not smart to go to college.

"Your husband is full of crap" 🤣

There is a middle path between a) paying for unlimited college no questions asked and b) providing kids no financial support at all after 18. Also, kids' interests, abilities and talents need to be considered.

The short answer is... it depends. College is an investment and you get out what you put in. I use what I learned in college daily, and it has taken me on a unlikely and highly improbable life path. I've also learned a lot about the construction trades...which has also proven very useful.

Th problem is many teenagers don’t ask right questions. Schools are horrible in teaching practicality. They tell us what to think not how to think. Huge difference. And then you realize people end up in careers they never wanted.

Sounds like someone got lost on the way to the kitchen!

No doubt.

The question is: is that why he doesn't want to save for education fund? Or is it just that he doesn't want to save money because he wants to spend it?

In my experience, jobs ABSOLUTELY value job experience over college degrees. When I was starting my career, every single job cared more about my work experience, and didn’t even ask about my degree or the years I spent in college. I wish I had been working that whole time.

Dave means to say the aggregated data shows that having a college degree increases earnings. In unaggregated form, some will do exceptionalyl well and others will do poorly.

They way that people call in and talk about thier spouses is unhealthy. There are ways to gain knowledge from a mentor without sending your spouse to slaughter.

College degrees are absloutely worth it with proper planning. I got the dreaded "degree in psychology" that is "useless" according to internet wisdom, and yet I walked into a decent middle-class job with a BSc. In Psychology the day I graduated. How? Planning. Make the kids plan it out, if need be make them wait a couple years so they can learn about what they could go for in a college education that would be pragmatic, useful, and (importantly!) lead to stable employment.

I have a 13 year old son and I am not paying for college, after getting a trade and making a good amount of money then he can pay for college. I will help with some community college but I am not helping pay for a 4 year party school.

As a college grad and gainfully employed, he's correct.

3:42 was the first time I have ever heard Dave cuss😂 Certainly not a bad thing, but was surprised.

When we tell people we are paying off our kids college loans many will argue that we should not. I think sometimes it is because they cannot do it and are justifying their decision.