This is one of the hardest decisions of your life and I don't envy you one little bit. Unfortunately we can only give you our stories the final decision is up to you.
I never went to uni, it didn't interest me. I got a full time job as an accounts trainee and did my qualifications on day release and distance learning (like open university). I was getting paid, valuable work experience and qualified at the same time. I was lucky that my career enabled me to do this.
Rob (the OH), went to uni for 3 years. He was lucky that there were no fees back then and managed to have a blast, gain some valuable life experiences of the big wide world and get his degree. He would always advise someone to go.
A friend of mine went to uni, got up to her eye balls in debt, had a "wild" time with "many" life experiences - think the extreme stero typical student life and you have hers!!
She obtained a decent 2:1 degree and she now works as a waitress - but I must stress that she is very happy with her life.
As you can see it depends on the person and what you want to do. I am not going to influence you either way, you have to weigh up all the pros and cons and go with what is right for you.
But if you do choose to go - you will have a fantastic experience.