If you’re thinking about finishing college or attending for the first time, you’ve likely heard all kinds of myths and misinformation when the subject comes up for discussion. Otherwise, well-meaning people are happy to dish out advice that typically amounts to nothing more than a rehash of outdated or flat-out wrong statements. As a person who values education and has decided to take the big step of earning a diploma, you’re probably adept at ignoring the ridiculous things many offer up to help guide you along the road to success. Of course, just like every other area of human endeavor, the field of education, particularly higher education, is rife with numerous urban legends and falsehoods.

What’s the best way to dispel the fake info that comes your way? By tackling it head-on and finding out the truth about some of the most common education-related tall tales. While there are hundreds of bits of misinformation floating around, a few of the most pernicious ones mention that college is beyond the financial reach of ordinary mortals, that trade schools are a better choice, and that you’ll have to quit working for four years in order to get a degree. Here are the untruths you’ll hear most frequently, along with the truth about each one.

It’s Who, Not What You Know

This is one of the oldest and most inaccurate pieces of advice about educational goals. Yes, it does help to have personal connections when applying for jobs, but in the modern world, the vast majority of employers are looking for candidates who hold four-year degrees. This rule obviously does not apply to minimum wage, entry-level positions. High school is all you need for that type of work. Even still, earning one of the most valuable college degrees is going to boost your resume in ways connections alone never could.

But for those who want a career instead of just a job, there’s no substitute for earning a diploma from a four-year institution. As for who you know, be sure to start working on building a professional network even before classes begin. There is some truth in the fact that you can leverage the power of your network to help land interviews or get you in the door. But most importantly, it will be your degree and experience that lead you to a career you really want.

College is Unaffordable These Days

It’s gotten so commonplace for people to complain about the cost of higher education that exaggeration tends to slip into their statements. Tell a few acquaintances about your school plans, and at least one will advise you to forget it because tuition is just too high. Fortunately, not all schools come with high price tags. Plus, anyone can apply for a student loan to cover some or all the associated expenses of a degree. Studying for a diploma is challenging, and it should be. But paying for school should not be an insurmountable hurdle for anyone.

If you want to keep costs down and leverage the power of a student loan at the same time, consider attending a two-year community educational institution and then transferring to a four-year program after that. Another way to keep expenses low is to attend online programs in which you can study at your own pace and pay for courses as you progress. In most cases, online tuition is less than half the price you’d pay to attend a traditional, in-person degree program.

College Means Quitting Work

For working adults and young people who want to start a career before attending classes, online study is the way to go. Many do all their coursework online and earn the same credential that in-person students get. Not only will you not need to quit your day job, but with online study, it’s possible to take self-paced courses and view lecture videos whenever you have the spare time to do so. A generation ago, the only option for working people who wanted to earn a degree and keep their jobs was to attend night courses at special institutions. Those days are long gone, fortunately, and many hard-working adults are racking up academic credits on weekends and in the evenings as online pupils.

Learning a Trade is Better That Getting a Diploma

There’s not a thing wrong with trade schools. For many people, they are the smartest way to build a career. But for others, a formal degree is the best route. There’s no one ideal way of earning money and building toward a comfortable retirement. So, if you’ve decided that you’d rather not learn a traditional trade, explore four-year degree programs.