Well what is the purpose of education at each level wouldn't and shouldn't that be the first thing we figure out as a nation for me its this: K to 8th Year >>> General Education to Learn the Basics to be a Citizen and be Functional in Language and Mathematics, History and Civics and Science to be Informed. 9th to 12th Year (I would go more to a 13th Year) >>> Learn Practical Skills (Vocational Subjects) including the Basic Courses of a General Nature focused on that English, Mathematics and Science should be applicable focuses and may a few electives in what students want to take for enjoyment. OR rigorous academics to prepare for college level work the minority percentage of students the best of the students most motivated for it and who show the needed academic intelligence. Students unfit for either should get education until they are sixteen and removed for the workplace learning what skills they can before then and if they aren't employed by eighteen go onto SSI and welfare support for life the low intelligent students and the disabled to unable to benefit from education. Beyond >>> Go into the workplace most likely but could track into apprenticeships or two year technical degree programs. OR College. We also need a means to fund continuing education for working men and women to add new skills or re-educate them as part of education being lifelong until retirement. I agree a deep scholarly education is of use but not for everyone a politician, brilliant mind, rich families child (face it if your family is rich your a leader in society so a gentleman or gentlewoman needs a decent education), gifted people and I would include older mature students who wish to undergo such an education but not everyone university cannot be High School for the masses. Its expensive and not needed for the majority of work the right skills are. A business person need skills not Plato and shouldn't be near a scholarly institution but a dedicated school of business to learn business skills no need for Yale for that its a waste of a space for someone better suited.
I don't understand why you believe there must be less college? We actually need more academic education. Sure there remains a need for vocational trades and if they need labor they should be using the apprenticeship programs. And if there is profit in creating more trade schools then it will happen. Trade schools are not free so personal loans will still be in place and amounts will vary according to programs...
No thank you, sir. I'd put a bullet in my dome if I had to stare at a computer screen all day. I repair very expensive and sophisticated medical equipment that goes PING! I like it. Pays well, and I like the "hands on" tinkering with actual physical thingamabobs and dohickeys.