I see it more as an investment in society, not in an individual. K-12 education is (in theory) a good example of this: free, high-quality (again, in theory) pub

I see it more as an investment in society, not in an individual. K-12 education is (in theory) a good example of this: free, high-quality (again, in theory) public education creates a populace with a certain set of skills and abilities. These skills and abilities aren't directly correlated with professional productivity, but they do contribute (IN THEORY) to better-functioning adults that are critical consumers of the world around them. A basic grasp of history, science, health, culture, math are all important aspects of a functioning democracy, as they enable citizens to assess the world and make more educated decisions about policy and societal changes. College is an extension of this. I was a computer science major, so I definitely did see professional benefits from my education, but a major part of my education involved the non-major classes I took in history, anthropology, language, etc, as well as the concentrated interactions I had with peers from diverse backgrounds. Had I not attained a practical degree, the return on investment might not have been terribly high at a personal level (as the article describes), but at a societal level, having more people who have a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the world undoubtedly helps us achieve societal goals.