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In 2024, 42.8% of the population ages 25 to 39, 41.5% ages 40 to 54, and 34.2% age 55 and older held a bachelor’s degree or higher.

[1]: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/educatio...

That does not seem like everyone is going to college.

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"Everyone" is hyperbole, of course. But it's already too high a number.

When I graduated in the early 2010s I recall the number was closer to ~35%. Honestly given the economy today and the expectations of employers of having a college degree for even basic stuff, these numbers seem pretty low.

In Europe only about 43% have a college degree. So even with heavily subsidized schools there is really only a certain percentage of people that take this path.

[1]:https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/d...

> the expectations of employers of having a college degree for even basic stuff

This is mostly an unintentional side-effect of civil rights law, stemming from Griggs v. Duke Power Co.

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