re: When will society accept that college isn’t for everybody?

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How many art history majors are serving coffee at Starbucks?

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All of 'em.......

The problem is that everyone making the argument that college is not for everyone, is mentally adding "but my kids are going to go."

You're right. This is a huge problem and the debt created and backed by the government is a ticking time bomb. Most of these students will NEVER be able to pay back these huge loans for the very reasons you listed. When I was in school your loans were based on private banks deciding to lend to you or not. No guarantees, the interest rates were over 8% and you were held accountable to repay them, which I did. Now it doesn't take a genius to see that the more students in debt the more potential voters for a particular candidate are there by just taking the stand of erasing student debt if they are elected. Hillary hinted at it but got some pushback. But as more and more are further in debt this could be another voting block just like all those who are on government assistance are typically a voting block. They DO NOT vote for anyone who wants to reign in their benefits.

The second part of this problem is that we have too many brick and mortar Universities and Colleges who cannot survive without the government making loans to kids to attend. You have a total dependent structure with most colleges and universities now and they have raised their tuition levels so high, way beyond the cost of inflation to take advantage of the easy to get student loan money that is government backed. With the rise of online education being more affordable many are getting their diplomas just like those that spend a small fortune or borrow a small fortune. The bottom line is the politicians and the colleges/universities benefit from kids having student debt. Without it they both suffer. The sad part is that there are many kids that go to school just to blow off a year or so before having to really go to work or do anything. They never intended to pay back student loans and just go to have fun before dropping out. Check some of the graduation rates from the local schools to see what I'm talking about. Southern in New Orleans is one and there are many others. Bring the system back to apply for a loan and see if your education to date and your major justify you getting approved for the loan before getting the funds.

Agreed. college is a racket so it’s not going anywhere until the culture changes and people stop telling their kids to go. We also need to stop giving TOPS to kids that barely passed their north BR public school with a 2.5 gpa. They end up flunking out and costing taxpayers money and their own time. Change the TOPS requirements to a 3.0 minimum and a higher ACT

If people pay for college with their private wealth, who cares if their dumb kid goes to college.

What should be stopped is allowing banks to give massive loans to kids for worthless majors. Loans the kids can’t get out from underneath because of bankruptcy laws. Those are life ruiners.

Judge Smails knew it..."The world needs ditch diggers too".

It's a broken system particularly at today's prices. When I was at LSU (pre Tops) tuition was about $1100 per semester so it wasn't a huge financial burden to sort of figure it out while you go.

My GPA was terrible coming out of High School due to me being more interested in Weed, Girls, Sports.

If I were Timmy I'd be shoveling shite today

Instead I hold a BS in Finance along with many other certificates and license, I sit here in a climate controlled atmosphere F'ing around on a computer all day and get paid.

There's a lot of Timmy's who may blossom later in life.

Your theory is like the shite Timmy shovels

If education was free would you care as much? Debt looks like your biggest issue.

Getting ahead can come from working harder and having a good mentor. People with 105 IQs can get PhD.

I would change education by having 1/2 day be trades and half practical academics until graduate high school.

Let everyone have a taste of practical electrician and carpentry.

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But a professionally run and professionally presented university that teaches Plumbing, electrical, hvac, welding, etc... alongside some basic business skills and critical thinking.

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It's called community college