Great Question here-
I have 2 engineering degrees and an MBA. The benefit is that NO ONE.. and I mean NO ONE can ever take that away from me. I ALWAYS have a safety net to fall into and can write software or do anything electrical imaginable. The MBA gave me insight to business, marketing, finance, HR, and people skills.
This was my path. I LOVE knowledge. I LOVE reading. I LOVE people. I agree 100% that college isn't the path for everyone. Just talk to 5 millionaires and you'll see what they've done more than likely doesn't have anything that is required to do with an accounting degree or an engineering degree etc.
However, in the end you can soak up as much knowledge as you want, but it's ACTION that provides results. Depending on your level of risk should decide whether or not you need a strong safety net or not.
Sounds to me like you're a go-getter. I prefer to stay fully employed and invest on the side (read all night long) for the 401k, health care, steady income, etc. That's my path, not necessarily yours.
Do what's right for you. Be a go-getter. Read the book Rhinoceros success, Dale Carnegie's How to win friends and influence people, and the book "The Go-Getter". Read what these books say (they're written on an elementary reading level) and see if they speak to you.
As someone said above, knowledge isn't only gained in the classroom, it's everywhere. I try to learn something new everyday. Good luck!
