[quote name='Koggit']FoC, I'm too lazy to deal with all your conditions, so I'll simplify it into...
Person #1:
Saves $8,000/yr (rounding up from $150 x 52 wks)
Person #2:
Borrows $6,000/yr
How much they make or whatever is pointless. All that matters in your question is change in net worth. After 4 years, #1 saved $32,000 and #2 is borrowed $24,000. The student loan is interest free until graduation and the mutual fund raises the $32,000 to no higher than $45,000. That $70k difference in net worth will be equalized after just a year or two of working. Even Liberal Arts majors make about twice as much as person #1, and in their case the difference in net worth would take 4 yrs to equalize.
But the biggest problem I have is with is allocating 60hr/wk for #1. If a student spent 50hr/wk studying they'd be a 4.0 student with strong extracurrics, and with those credentials they'd be on a full scholarship, no $6,000/yr debt. The reason college is expensive for a lot of people is because they spend maybe 15hr/wk on school, 15hr/wk on work and 20hr/wk jacking off.[/quote]
Ok, but I make more than the Liberal Arts major, by a decent amount, in fact I make more than I see right there after taxes. I have no interest in going into any kind of engineering, the work simply seems boring and I'd rather do something I derive enjoyment from. I guess to me I have yet to find a career than is practical, enjoyable, and where I'd make more than I do now. (I continue school despite this, as I hope that when I do find that career, I'll at least be part of the way there.)