OP, yes after college comes work and you make money with it, but you gain skills as well. And you can strive to become better at your job.
But the hard part, for me, is finding the job best suited for you. You need a good balance between challenge, fun and income (this is in order of importance).
And life after college is so much more than only a job. If you want skills and challenges, try to balance a social life with a wife, kids, hobbies and that job you love so much.
I enjoyed college a lot, spend nights drinking in a bar, working in a bar, drinking while working in a bar. Spend nights of stoned gaming, stoned anime watching. And in the end I got a degree as well, fun times. But I wouldn't go back, I find the life after college challenging, but the key is figuring out what you want to accomplish and that was the hard part. It took me some years, but I have finally figured it out and I am planning my path accordingly.