Perhaps some smart colleges could offer a core liberal arts course stripped of innumerable majors, minors, electives, and various “studies” departments, and taught with a minimum of staff. Look at the colleges a hundred years ago and see how they could operate with a fraction of the staff that they have today, while offering a better education. Also get rid of the culture of “publish or perish.” Put the professors back in the classroom.
As I understand it, interest in learning traditional trades as a career is on the rise......while I will never independently wealthy a trade sustained my entire career and I was able to retire at 59-1/2.
I’m not knocking college degrees but we have all we need and I did it all without one.
College just isn’t for everyone.