Learning a trade vs earning a degree: it does not have to be an either/or decision. One solution is to take a few college courses online while attending full time trade school training classes in person. Once you obtain your license or certification in a trade and get hired, then continue pursuing your online degree. Use a portion of your trade job salary to pay for your online degree.
Within a few years you will have attained experience in your trade and have earned a college degree. At that point, you could: 1) continue advancing in your chosen trade, 2) switch to a college graduate profession, or 3) stand-up your own business founded upon your trade certifications and experience. As a result of the ability to become self-employed (business owner) based on your experience in a trade, the earning power of a trade license is in fact co-equal with the earning power of a college degree.
Bottom line: There should not be a stigma associated with working in the trades. For example, you will schedule plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians to visit your house multiple times during your lifetime, but you will probably only hire an architect to design your house once in a lifetime.
Herb