All of my "little libs in training" worked while in college. Thanks to their earnings, the generosity of the U.S. taxpayers, and my father bequeathing me some $$ all three of my youngest graduated community college with no debt. The youngest went on to earn her masters in special ed.; she carries a $30K student loan debt for that. The middle daughter worked at her graphics design career for three years, decided it sucked, and went back for a two-year veterinary technician/nursing degree.... while working FT as a vet assistant. She carries a $15K debt for that.... mainly because by then she was in her 20s and wasn't living for free at home. My oldest daughter just graduated last May with an AS in computer networking. She has three kids still at home; eventually she plans to get a BS in computer science -- with tuition assistance from her employer.
So it's possible to get at least an associates degree without a huge debt load, but higher education is going to be more difficult.