It's interesting that anyone would look down on someone trying to better themselves. It doesn't matter how you get your education, whether it be college, the armed forces, or on-the-job learning and any combination of them. The most important thing is you KEEP learning and seeking knowledge to gain the skills you need in your chosen life.
I started out at CSM (back then CCCC) because it was what I could afford with the student loans I took out. I paid those loans off, found that I needed a bachelor's degree in my chosen line of work, and paid up front for my classes at UMUC. After that, I got my master's degree for ME because it was always a goal I wanted for myself. CSM was the perfect stepping stone for me to the higher degrees and the education I got there was first rate.
Believe me, it's tough working full-time and going to school too, much less raising kids at the same time. My hat is off to anyone who can do all that.