While military service offers valuable skills and experience, a college degree significantly boosts earning potential in the civilian workforce. The difference in lifetime earnings between someone with a degree and someone without is substantial, often exceeding the total earnings from several years of military service. The skills gained in the military can be valuable, but they rarely translate to the same level of increased income as a college degree, especially in higher-paying professional fields.
Therefore, while individual circumstances may vary, the statistically better financial outcome is pursuing a degree first.