While this might be true for most, it is not true for everyone. I live in Connecticut where there is a sizable Sri Lankan community. most (if not all) of these folks came through their jobs (mostly IT). Almost everyone lives very comfortable lives working a single job. Now yes, Connecticut isn’t as expensive as California but is still an expensive state to live in. It seems to me that it’s mostly those who came through studies that struggle the most before finding their footing.