Becoming an empty nester with my children beginning their own families gives me significantly more independence to convey thoughts on higher education without feeling the pressure of retaliation against students in the family. Skepticism about the value of a four-year college education seems to be seeping into the minds of our high school students. Many factors may be at work in this subject such as skilled manufacturing laborers are in great demand, way-low unemployment rates, costs considerations, time investments, as well as many others.