Assuming it’s true that college students today are weaker thinkers, I wonder how much of it can be explained by the teaching profession becoming less desirable

Assuming it’s true that college students today are weaker thinkers, I wonder how much of it can be explained by the teaching profession becoming less desirable over time (in the U.S. at least). Inflation-adjusted pay has been dropping for years, from what I understand, while alternative career options for women have been improving.