Not everyone needs a degree, or should even be at a university.

The idea that you must have college to be successful or valuable as a worker is simply ridiculous and a lie. Not all jobs require college and around here in rural Texas just south of Ft Worth many people go to work on the assembly lines at Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter right out of high school and retire. I went to work as a welder right after dropping out of high school then became a roofer and had my own roofing business without any college. I've managed restaurants, production lines, been an industrial mechanic, control wiring electrician and a truck-driver in the oilfield without any college.

A person who has no desire for a degreed career like me should be able to go to work anywhere and be paid enough for housing, transportation, food, clothing, basic necessities and some entertainment or other personal pursuit of happiness. Maybe the person's pursuit of happiness has nothing to do with a career or job but is watching TV, drinking, playing a musical instrument, gardening or some other hobby or personal interest.

There are very good in-between models in the world, but when your horizon stops at the Atlanitc and Pacific seas, you don't see them.

I agree with you. Americans are very short sighted about so-called education.