As a society, we’ve developed a collective vision about college:
College is the gateway to a good life and a good career; every person should have the opportunity to go to college; it’s not just about preparing people for jobs, it prepares people to think; while college isn’t for everyone, and some people are not capable of college work or perhaps have other interests, every person should have the opportunity to go to college.
This is the story we tell ourselves when we say, “everyone should be able to go to college” or “we need more college graduates” or even “college should be free for everyone.”
This perspective looks down on anyone without a college degree: they couldn’t cut it, they weren’t smart enough, they settled for something less, they dropped out, etc. There is a moral and social value to going to college, you are a “better” person if you went to college, and even better if you went to graduate school. Those who didn’t are less able, and, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances, are lower.
Here’s another perspective.
College gives people who have had the luxury of not having had to make decisions for themselves, or living with the consequences of their choices and decisions, the additional luxury of spending about 4 years responsible for nothing more than taking care of their own needs and getting social and intellectual stimulation; and, while they are at it, they can pick up a few work related skills and get a diploma that commences their lives as adults. College is a place to send 18-year olds who have not grown up yet. If they are lucky and graduate from an elite college, they will also have an initial advantage in competing for high paying white collar occupations.
In this scenario, if you already know how to think for yourself and are ready for responsibility, you don’t need four years of college to start being an adult. You need the opportunity and probably some job skills to get your life started. Some of those skills can be acquired by living, others while working, some require additional education and training, and some require a lot of additional education and training. The amount of education required is just dependent on the life and occupation paths you choose, and most do not require a 2-year or 4-year degree. For some, college like a pre-adult summer camp, enjoyable and a place to mature, but that doesn’t make them better than anyone else.
Scenario 2 may be a healthier perspective for society.
Scenario 2 recognizes that college and university are means to some ends, but not for most; that there is no moral value in being a college graduate; your value is the way you live your life. College is just a pathway; it can be helpful to get to some destinations, it can be used as a transition to adult-hood for those who need it or who want it, but college is just one choice that may or may not be helpful depending on what an individual wants to do and what that individual needs.
Where do you think college fits?