Not all of us have attained your superior manipulating skills. 

No one has mentioned Chicago area ...I know it has its issues and property taxes are not worth mentioning ...however this area has unbeatable returns...15% to 20%  cab be  easily attained and suburbs do have  very good appreciation as long as you stick with reos and buy when there is less activity so u can get good appreciation.Ray

Although the thought of walking into a room full of strangers at this moment is imagined as intimidating, I am certain that once I attain a bit more knowledge and confidence, I'll be ready to walk the plank.Thanks for the responses, both.

Rates in this range are also typically higher, making it tough to achieve viable cash flow.A more practical and attainable option would be 20-25% down.

Your goals are extremely challenging but attainable over time .

Engineering is also hard by nature and once you've dove into the world of engineering, other things in the world seem more attainable. 

Investment Info:

Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment.

Just closed my first deal in Milwaukee with more on the works! Any out of area investors, feel free to reach out as I am open to wor...

Healthy economy and solid growth, yet attainable prices for newbies.

Here is a list of a few that I find to be of most value:Population TotalHome ValuesHousehold IncomesPoverty RatePopulation AgeRental Vacancy Rate*Homeowner Vacancy Rate*Educational Attainment Rate (High School/GED & Bachelors)Number of Housing UnitRent to Income Ratio*Rent to Price Ratio*Population on SNAPS (supplemental nutrition assistance program) percentageProperty Tax Rate*Median Age of BuildingsNumber of Structures by Units (SFR, Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex, etc...)Median Rents by Number of BedroomsPopulation Change (Births, Deaths, In-Migrations, Immigrants)*note that some of the metrics are composites that are computed by comparing two or more variables from the ACSA number of the variables above can also be broken up into cohorts, which will give you even more insight into how an area is doing.

In order for a college degree to be the best in the options listed, you would have to be able to attain a low cost degree but once which you graduate, stay in the field you studied and be paid enough to pay back the loans you have with enough left for cost of living (home, food, clothes, transportation, etc.) + money left for saving and investing.