A smol human of average intelligence can complete average U.S. grade school material by the time they're 13-15, at a reasonable pace, if they get individual instruction.
Imagine the advantage you get getting there 2-3 years ahead of most people.
> Imagine the advantage you get getting there 2-3 years ahead of most people.
IME, there isn't much. You get to college a few years early, it's a kind of awkward experience, and then life happens.
Some of my friends lost a year or two due to the adjustment.
Other friends ended up in boring low-risk careers and regret not being mature enough at graduation to know what they wanted to do (switching majors, grad school, starting a company, etc.)
In the best case you start the career that you would've had anyways 2-3 years earlier.
I've met a lot of people who got started on life early (you probably have too). Most look back on it as having no material effect on their lives. A few consider it the worst decision they ever made.
Some people imagine a huge financial difference, but retirement is a long game and other variables dominate. A $10K difference in your salary at your first position, or getting laid off at an unlucky time, or choosing to optimize for something other than income, or buying randomcoin at the right/wrong time, or having your rsus vest in the right quarters, etc. are all going to have a larger financial impact than an extra 2 years in the labor market over a 30+ year career.
I personally chose longer schooling because I loved school. Looking at people who graduated earlier Iβm envious that they can start a family earlier. I donβt know about money, but with kids I think age is important (doubly so for women).
> Looking at people who graduated earlier Iβm envious that they can start a family earlier.
Can they? You can start having kids as soon as you find a spouse. College is a great time to date with the intention of finding a spouse. Going to college at 15 can make finding a spouse early in life considerably more difficult.
Imagine the advantage you get getting there 2-3 years ahead of most people.