The only path? Seems clear a clear answer to this would be: no!. This does, however, come with some caveats.
It is a known reality the adage ‘, not every genius goes to college just as not everyone who goes to college is a genius’ rings true. In turn, if someone has sufficient determination to progress in life - then irrespective of whether they find themselves able to go to college due to finances, location (a diminishing factor with online education), or other life circumstances - they are likely to go ahead and have ‘success’ (however you define it).
By contrast, should be said too: college is far more than just study and grades. Sure this is a big part of it - by and large the main part - but the experience of the “college lifestyle” like socialising with people around the country (and usually the world) should not be underrated. This is especially so as if you look at someone like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook he at once didn’t finish college YET got the idea for Facebook while at college.
In sum, college is certainly not the only path to success but it usually is a big help on the path to it. By no means does it say someone unable to go to college can’t succeed, it’s just also true that those who may say ‘oh college is a universal waste of time each time and every time’ would struggle to make this argument against many examples like Zuckerbergs of the wider college experience having benefits beyond the classroom alone.