What do you think about future web developers going to college?

Sites like treehouse and koding.com make it a lot easier and cheaper then going to school. I prefer to learn hands on and by video rather then spending a lot of money on university/college. Soon as my economics professor explained opportunity cost I got out and didn't come back. No debt now. Anyways I don't think university/college is needed. Happy coding!

Absolutely not, in fact, I endorse not going to college to learn Web Development / Design. I dropped out after my first semester(I was coding before I started), so I had an idea of each approach. Learning hands on with the vast reaches of the internet at your disposal with a wide array of view sources and perspectives is SO much better than a miserable professor telling you to open up to page 100 and do exercises 1-10. The entire education system is antiquated and really does a great job of diminishing your creativity. Not to mention you save SO much money, I spend $49 dollars a month at Treehouse(Worth EVERY penny and more), which is literally insane compared to University.

Also, watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

Happy learning, Chris.

I have a very screwy college experience. I started out studying intercultural studies (but spent most of my time becoming a better runner and having fun). Then I decided to study philosophy or english or something until I finally settled on Physics. I studied Physics for 3 years before deciding to teach myself programming, specifically computer graphics programming. So I've been in a couple colleges, I've kind of had the full gamut of experience. I think it's entirely possible to go through the college experience, to flourish, and still retain some independence of thought and not squash out your creativity—you just have to be willing to think on your own. (Maybe that's why I didn't do so well in school, I was constantly questioning everything.) It's also entirely possible to not go into school, to be socially adjusted, to learn a tremendous amount, and to make it along just fine. (What is "fine" anyway?) If you want to be in school to learn and grow socially, then that's what I recommend, so long as the opportunity is there and you don't put yourself into a lot of debt. If you don't want that, then don't go for it. You can wind up fine either way, it's all a matter of how you apply yourself and what attitude you take into it.

As for having a social life, social life comes and goes. Friends come and go. I had a great social life in college, but the thing is, people graduate, people get in arguments with one another and drift, social groups change, old roommates who you thought would be life-long friends wind up becoming impossible to sit across the table from. It's definitely a lot harder to have a social life when you're not in school. I'm fortunate in that I have a good church I go to. You might try finding some local clubs or something? Don't settle for being around people who treat you poorly, it's not worth your time. Find people who you can invest in, and who will invest in you; find people who will stick by you. Find people who you can strike up any conversation with. But know that eventually you'll be in a place where you have to work at your friendship. I had a great conversation with a friend a month ago, and now I feel like I hardly know her. Just take the step to meet people, and don't give up till you find people who are truly accepting of you. It doesn't matter who you are, there will always be people who dislike you and people who like you.

Anyway, as far as learning goes, the Treehouse is a great resource. My friend who recommended it to me is a lead web dev at a successful company, and he didn't go to college. (But I think he learned most of what he knows before Treehouse got started.) College is great though, I miss it. But it's not everything, especially not in web development. I wouldn't rule college out entirely, but I wouldn't say it's a requirement either. It's ultimately a function of your desires, your interests, your finances, and your life situation. I hope that helps somewhat. Best of luck with your decision!

In my experience, (I have a Bachelors in Economics) basically a college degree is for getting yourself hired. There are a lot of (much cheaper) alternatives when it comes to building a social life. If you can self educate and get hired, that's great, but it's easier said than done. However, if you have the motivation, confidence, and know-how to become an entrepreneur, that is a good path to go for many intelligent developers.

I believe college/university is completely unnecessary if you're planning on being a Web/Mobile Designer, Web/Mobile Developer. That's exactly why we created Treehouse! :)

Chris, there are better ways to gaining social confidence and meeting people than sinking 10s of thousands of dollars in an ultimately pointless money sink. The one thing though someone mentioned here is true though, it will be easier to get a job with a degree, but I'm talking about making a business.

But good luck with whatever you choose, like many said it is a great experience socially, but I mean just from a learning standpoint.

yes. I'm remembering how much I could not bear school. They will not change the way it all works any time soon, but I don't need to go, as long as I have a better plan.