I agree that a more practical future is likely if the government backs off its subsidies of "normal" college experiences. What we have in the U.S. is essentiall

I agree that a more practical future is likely if the government backs off its subsidies of "normal" college experiences. What we have in the U.S. is essentially collusion between higher ed and government to place excess value on such a normal college experience. This might not be such a bad thing, given the research outputs of many universities that benefit both from outright government grants, and implicit sponsorships in the form of student debt that carries interest rates lower than any private competitor could carry.