I wasn't clear in my reply / statement / comment  . . . . .

College isn't for everyone - The higher education system is a business . . . its there to deliver a service. The service is sold as "Needed" to be successful .. .  .. that's the scam every kid and parent is brain washed into thinking. Business's believe this to be true also. No higher education, no reason to apply for opening.

There are many motivated individuals that can be very successful, with out college or higher education.

There are trade schools that can give better experience / skills then colleges . . . .

The higher education system and financial systems in the USA pray on unsuspecting individuals and their priority is selling the service, making the loans and higher education / experience is secondary to their goals . . . . .

The US used to have a system of starting out with a business in the lower ranks (little to no higher education) and those that showed initiative, moved up the ranks . . . . apprenticeship's were common, now the term is intern (no pay ), not so much now.