In my humble opinion, I think Status is more important then education in US. Because without status, u wont get a education. so in order to get that education u need to be in status. However, this also doesn't mean that u go to college/university  just to be in status and work 60 hrs in gas station to make money.
      What is more important in US is management between status, education and work(money).Ur Status = Education + work(money). when one side goes down, the other side goes down as well. so my friend try to balance the equation and  don't be so frustrated.