[MetroMPG]

Can't go wrong with an engineering degree, especially if it's actually interesting to you!

Ideally: make good professional money doing interesting stuff in an affordable location while putting away much of it and avoiding the siren call of the consumer treadmill/debt lifestyle once the money starts rolling in.

Then "retire" 10-15 years later to do whatever you want! (Which might include continuing to work, but with the freedom/security to walk away from it whenever you wish and pursue other interests.)