My understanding is that the trade off in European systems is a much more stringent entrance requirement. So, university is free, but a smaller percentage of p

My understanding is that the trade off in European systems is a much more stringent entrance requirement. So, university is free, but a smaller percentage of people have the scores to get in. Only about 30% of German students go to university, vs 40+% of Americans. This isn't the worst idea. College in the US is overly fetishized and trade schools and/or going directly to work or starting a business is snubbed. The result seems to be a deeply overeducated, but under employable population and an aging trade class that is entering retirement without having fully passed the torch to the next generation.