I don't propose kids should not go to college at all. Anybody who can hack it should be encouraged and totally subsidized. But let's face it: Some people are just wasting their time. They may get a better general education, but at least in California they could do that almost for free at a junior college. Mainly, I have a problem with a $200,000 debt ruining kids lives when they are just going to end up with a career that has nothing to do with their major. Or drop out with a huge debt outstanding, even worse. Deciding to go to college or trade school should not be determined by IQ or wealth. Students need to think hard about what they actually want to do with their lives, and decide accordingly.
Intelligence falls pretty close to a bell curve. For every student with an !Q of 110, there is another with an IQ of 90. Everybody can't be "above average". With an IQ of 90, a college student or trade school student is going to have to work his ass off to get through. With an IQ of 80, he won't. So why waste their time? Maybe we should show them how to operate a wheelbarrow or a lawn mower. There really is a level of competence for everybody, and finding yours may be the key to a happy life.
