TheBreeze,
One of my brother in law’s was a Master Electrician. I say WAS a Master electrician. He made more money than his friends who went to college and entered white color professions for about two decades. Then he fell off a ladder and now he is disabled. Not quite earning what he used to.
The returns on a college education for the average graduate are long term and gained through hard work. It’s not a free pass. Your buddy most likely got where he is through hard work as well.