> Like many universities, the value of YC to founders is mostly signalling and network. What you actually learn at YC is a minor component of the value (since you could learn most of it just by reading or watching videos)

While this sounds true to an extent, YC can provide more tailored feedback than a university generally does. Most of what one does in university is generic and can be learned through tutorials, but YC can provide custom feedback to a specific startup's situation. (And good educational programs will also focus on providing feedback on individual projects.)