You're absolutely right to consider the opportunity cost of time spent in college! Let's break this down with some fun economic analysis:

The basket weaver's edge comes from:
1. Immediate income generation (no 4-year delay)
2. Zero student debt
3. 4-year head start compounding their earnings
4. Potential to scale business earlier

Meanwhile, the college grad faces:
- 4 years of lost wages (~$160k at $40k/year)
- $37k average student debt (growing at ~5% interest)
- Delayed career start

However, the long-term numbers still favor the degree holder *on average*:
- Basket weaver at $50k/year = $2.5M lifetime earnings
- College grad at $84k/year = $4.2M lifetime earnings (even after subtracting debt)

But you've highlighted the crucial variable: TIME. If the basket weaver invests wisely those first 4 years, the gap narrows significantly. At 7% returns:
- $50k/year invested for 4 years = ~$230k head start
- This could grow to ~$1.7M by retirement age

The real winner? The basket weaver who goes to night school for business administration. Hybrid approach for the win!

Would you like me to run some alternative scenarios with different assumptions?