For me, it was a combination of all three things, although "love" for the subject didn't factor in too much. I like the field, but I'm not passionate about it.
When you come from a country of a billion people, even gaining admission into a university or college is really competitive, unless you have parents who can spare a bit of cash to help you along. Bachelor degrees are useless. They don't really differentiate you from the rest of the crowd because almost everyone else has one.
A masters degree, especially from a US/UK university, is a better asset, although even these days it doesn't always offer a guarantee. If you are hoping to move abroad, a masters or PhD degree scores you more points for any visa criteria. So picking a field / specialisation that is in demand is definitely a smart move.
Having parents that can put you in touch with potential employers is still the biggest way to nudge your way ahead of the competition. I never wanted to go down that route, and I have been really lucky that I have managed to do reasonably well for myself without being forever indebted to a relative or some family friend for getting me a job.
At the end of the day, like it or not, money counts for a lot. It helps you to keep a roof over your head, food on the table and keeps the electricity running. And when you retire, you'll be able to sleep better if you know you have a reasonably healthy bank account and investments to keep you going. Not to mention all the nice things in life that you can enjoy like holidays or eating out. It doesn't necessarily have to be a university degree that helps you get to such an income level. In countries like the UK, there are a number of vocational routes that can pay just as well, if not better, than some graduate posts.
Ideally, doing what you love is a great aim, but in the real world, everyone can't achieve that or make a feasible living out of it. Most people I know, spend a good few years making as much money as they can in a profitable field, and
then switching to a hobby or passion that they can enjoy. Seems like a sensible plan to me. I don't know how far I will get with mine
Topic: Why do we go to university?