I am a senior engineer in a semiconductor fortune 500 company.  No my speciality is not software unfortunately most hardware and process

I'm sorry, but you are going in with the wrong mentality. College is an investment. College shouldn't be treated like high school 2.0. Also, for those going into college, do internships constantly. If you don't your degree doesn't mean anything in most cases.

To me college is a purchase. If I make money off of it then so be it. If not, it doesn't matter. Money is useful, but it won't buy my way into happiness.

If you are actually good at a STEM subject, going to a good college is most definitely worth it. Notice that there are a number of good-sounding degrees, easier, just as expensive,, which aren't worth shit. If it doesn't take any particular dedication and some skills (Mathematics, for example), it probably isn't worth anything.

Statistically, people that have a masters in Math and one of the other STEM subjects have very high salaries and employment, in average.

Here is something worth looking at:
http://fortune.com/2015/04/27/best-worst-graduate-degrees-jobs/
To be noticed, all those degrees are difficult, and take dedication. But I think that the figures speak for themselves, in terms of degree as an investment.

That's very informative! Bookmarked it.

Currently in my second year in my university. I'm in the Air Force ROTC program and hope to commission when I graduate and become a pilot. Still a long way ahead, but it's definitely what I want to do.

Consider yourself as one of the smart/lucky ones.  Hell, if you get to fly an F-35 then I will be jealous as hell. Best of luck.

Thanks man! Hopefully everything works out and I can accomplish it :)

In comparision, the median income in the US (including both people with and witout degree) is 51 000%, so it's a 100% + increase for the better degrees. Also a nice bonus, jobs with degree have a higher job security, and better work hours. Working in University, for example, allows you free reign of the summer 4 months - though you should probably use it to advance research/work on any exterior projects (consulting for companies can be quite lucrative), it's nice to be in control of when and how much you want to work.