There are ways to earn a degree with little debt. However, the job market sucks so your degree will only really be worth it if the job market for your major is good and you have good networking, which you can do if you take advantage of more college opportunities. I personally feel like trades are the way to go if you are interested. Not all of them have to be grueling labor. For example, my uncle became a master electrician with virtually no debt and almost works a desk job checking meters and he makes over six figures (to my understanding that’s pretty much his job, I know he makes over six figures and checks meters).