Hi, Super...
I am an artist (not graphic design) and also employed as a middle school art teacher. I'm age 57, and I only started as a teacher late in life. I landed a job in my 20's as a cartoonist with the WV state gov't. I landed this job because I had an "inside track," knowing the job was open thru my sister who worked as a secretary for that division of the DOH. That only lasted for three years.
As a teacher, I can tell you, that there are technical school programs wiithin the public school systems (I know here there are) that train graphic artists as well as you would receive in college. And an employer told me one time that they don't care "where you get your training" as long as you have a good portfolio.
I'm still employed as an art teacher in public schools, just completing my M.A. in Fine Art at Marshall Univ. I saw a lot of Graphic Design students' work there, during critique sessions, and I can say with confidence that if you are creative and get the training, wherever....be it in a technical school or college, you will find employment. I don't know about the pay...college vs. technical school training, but I believe in a good program you will succeed.
Patty