As many have already commented, I too paid for my college education and worked through school. I knew in high school I was paying for it in full without help from my parents, so I planned accordingly. I worked about 40 hours/week throughout high school and college. My priorities were to pay for school as I was going AND save money. Most of my friends' priorities were to go away to school, have a good time away from the parents and get an education. I opted to go to a state school close enough that it was an hour train ride away.
Long story short, I graduated with more money than I started with and I own a small condominium, while most of my friends are still at their parents' or renting.