The cost and risk has inflated far faster then the benifits and we do jack shit to actually prepare kids for navigating it.
Instead of bashing kids for not going to college we should question why the appeal has dropped. Its systemic failures(not just in colleges themselves but everywhere. Housing, policing, Transporation options/costs, wages, workers rights, healthcare, educstion laws etc.) and exploitation diminishing the risk/reward outlook along with a helping hand from bigotry and Anti Intellctualism from right wingers driving some away. Attacking DEI, LGBTQ+, Libraries, women's rights, science and student aid is obviously not gonna help.