I knew a small handful in Australia who took higher education about the time I did: I studied 1997-2000 and left the JWs in 1998. I can think of about five in two congs who were studying, or had recently finished studying, when I left.
The excuse was always that they needed to get a qualification to meet their scriptural responsibility to support their family (all male). I said the same.
I don't remember anyone being given a hard time or losing privileges as a result. I don't think any of them were very active or 'in to' being a JW, even if they were current or former E/MS/Pio, but so far as I know the others stayed in. Mostly second or third gen. I think studying was more a point of novelty than being very problematic in the cong.
I remember publishers (not so much E/MS) quizzing me about whether the lecturers were as good public speakers as the brothers. I think it was curiosity more than anything. The few who did have an education (usually from before getting into the JWs) always seemed to be regarded as a bit special, and being the 'good elders' or whatever.