It is a valid point. Though according to the data, one really needs a post-graduate education to really see any kind of future payoff. By that point we could be looking at closer to a $3M difference. If you can make that up, then it is definitely worth it, but it is a long road ahead.

With all that said, education is still worth it for education's sake. You don't really need to justify it with future incomes and better jobs. I find it disconcerting that so many do.