"Higher education is like an arms race. In an arms race, the outcomes are asymmetrical. If you maintain parity with the enemy, its a stalemate -- you don't see any return on your investment. But if you fall behind, you get conquered. The parallel to higher ed is that there is no visible payoff for the investment, but rather the cost of not making the investment is devastating. If you earn a college degree, the odds are you will have at least a moderate standard of living, and a lucky few will get wealthy. Without that degree, you will live on the edge of poverty most of your adult life."
http://chronicle.com/section/Home/5/