Except it doesn't. Everybody I know (including me) who earns very good money does so by sitting in a comfortable chair, thinking clever thoughts that they then write down (or otherwise communicating them). People I know without any degree working with 'dirt' generally earn half.

That being said, not everybody should necessarily get a traditional 4+ year academic degree. Many people will be better served with some sort 2-3 year, more practical and focused, post high school education. Also working a few years between graduating high school and starting your further education is in many cases a good idea. But ending your education after highschool I believe is almost always a mistake.