I dropped out of high school in 12th grade - not because it was difficult, but because of a lot of personal issues going on in my life at the time. During the couple of years that followed, I worked several odd jobs and didn't think about school. Eventually, I took my GED, then enrolled into my local Community College. There were placement exams that put me in the right level of classes (with regards to English/Math), and after a couple of years I transferred to a nearby private university that had an agreement with my community college such that all my credits transferred. I spent three years there, and I'm a month away from graduating with a BS in electrical engineering. I already have a job lined up, and probably saved myself $60k in the process by starting at a community college. The level of instruction at community college was often at the same level as the private university, if not better, as the instructors don't have to worry about research and what not - they're simply there to teach.

tl;dr:

• Get your GED

• Find a nearby community college that has an agreement with a nearby university such that your credits transfer and enroll. Don't take the SAT or ACT unless you have to.

• Transfer! (After you get enough credits...)

• ...?

• Profit!