Though of course, getting a degree after losing a medical may not be an option, if at that stage, one has a family, children, and needs to earn.
Yes, of course, different people are suited to different options - circumstances differ markedly. However, there is a huge difference between an 18-year old who foregoes university to take up a dead-end job solely for the purposes of earning, as they have their head in the clouds, and an 18-year old who foregoes university based upon a strategy to get into the flightdeck more quickly revolving around networking, generating a backup plan, and earning top-dollar for their time.
Of course, there are also those who go to university and waste their experience as well, so it is extremely difficult to speak in generalisations at all on the subject. Furthermore, university at a later age is not the same experience as university at 18.
Bottom line is that different routes suit different people. Having researched them thoroughly (not needlessly throwing away opportunities), you are in a better position long-run.
Here is an example of someone I know:
- Spent 4 years on a university degree at a top UK university
- No parental cash
- Achieved PPL before university, progressing to ATPL from savings in year 1 of university (savings from weekend job at 6th form/uni)
- Working as FI on fATPL during years 2-4.
- Graduated with upper second
- Walked directly into a job with a regional with no debt upon graduation, due to effective networking
Fully backed-up, no debt, highly educated, university-experienced at 22 with a job. The degree being more than a piece of paper, but also a route into another network and career if it all goes to pot due to sickness.
Can't beat that route.
3 Years at Foggy Bottom technical college to study Britney Spears Film Studies may be considered to be a waste of time though.