“The main reason for college for many is to meet a potential spouse from a similar or higher status.”
Actually, the HS grads go to college to get away from home (on their parents’ money), party on booze and drugs, and get laid (and experiment with gender benders). Things haven’t changed since I attended school 50 years ago except prices have gone through the roof, there are more required crap courses and majors, and the kids are stupider.
The good private colleges are awash in high quality potential spouses and the girls often outnumber the boys significantly.