wait and wait, I dunno what's your issue with how you perceive university education as wasteful and your condescending view towards the value of money.
Yes, there are others who earn multiple times more than the average in this world, but COME ON, $3.5k for starting pay is really comfortable. This is not even considering the potential increments in the upcoming years.
So for God's sake, please quit the ATTITUDE, and stop being in denial man.. SHEESH!