College degree isn't what it used to be. I graduated over 20 years ago with about $30,000 in student loans to pay off. Same degree today would probably leave me with over $200,000 in loans. That's just for four years. Tough hole to dig out of if you have trouble finding a decent job.
With all the opportunities the internet provides us, I would strongly advise someone to research what a degree really means for their chosen career. College can be a great experience, but the costs are seriously prohibitive these days.
There's a big difference for students who are getting a degree for a specific purpose, and students getting a degree because they feel like it's an obligation. The former have a completely different attitude toward the process of learning, and are far more likely to benefit. Still, I would advise them to consider non-college options as outlets for their drive to learn.
It makes no sense to go to college with no particular goal in mind. I went to college and have no regrets but I also knew what I wanted to do. The drive to learn isn't even the most important reason to go to college but it is a necessary prerequisite. The reason to go to college is that it will help you get a job. If it isn't going to do that then there are far less expensive and potentially better ways to learn. However, employers in many career fields are going to be looking for that degree before hiring you.
A four year degree at a state college can be had for as little as $17,000 (give or take...at least in Florida). State universities are going to be a little more and this doesn't cover living expenses if you are going to be far from home or otherwise living on your own but it certainly isn't necessary to go 200k in debt. College certainly isn't the only way to learn something but it is often the only reasonable way to demonstrate some sort of qualification with 0 experience.