The problem here is the author is mischaracterizing the debate. Right now we have a job environment where most good jobs require a college degree. The debate

The problem here is the author is mischaracterizing the debate. Right now we have a job environment where most good jobs require a college degree. The debate as to whether college is necessary asks if that environment is appropriate since college costs a lot of money and often falls short when it comes to imparting lifelong knowledge. When all those TV Shows, Newspapers and Blogs are having this debate the question they are asking is whether the environment that requires a degree should exist. So arguing that people with a degree make more money in the current environment is irrelevant to the debate itself. (He does set up a straw man of parents on the edge deciding not to send their kids to college but I see that as unrealistic. No parent who is going to send their kid to college changes their mind based on what Katie Couric says or what they read on a blog)