You know, if this is his frame of mind, maybe he really could learn more at home. Is it possible for him to do homeschooling? I know you may have to cut your job, but you would save money from having to pay for his schooling. Would that be possible? Then he could study whatever he wanted and be motivated to learn the things he plans to use in the future. That is how my daughter is - she is 17 - and she does not want to study stuff she thinks she will never need in the future. And she is right - there is a lot we did in high school that has had absolutely no effect on our life outside of high school. What about homeschooling him IF HE ABIDES BY WHATEVER RULES YOU SET FOR HIM?