I can actually give you another point of view. I have done a distance learning course (95%) complete.
If I would have known what I know now about web design courses and what they actually teach you, I wouldn't have bothered!
Mine has taught me things that maybe I would have missed myself. Things to do with standards and networking, etc.
But as for going college and Uni to do web design, I might be wide of the mark here, but I think you would be better off self teaching.
Plus, if you want to be an actual designer, college can't really teach you the flair and imagination of design, that comes from you. All they can do is show you how to use the tools, and that is easy enough to teach yourself.
I think forums and tutorials are the way forward!
Good luck