The intellectual gain is there, but sadly it is wasted on job tasks which are nor intellectually challenging, or even require the knowledge learned during college - EVEN if your education and job is in the same field.

For example, a lot of regular/consumer banking jobs today require a college degree, but did not 15-20 years ago. The job has not changed; The people that work there still mainly help people with savings accounts, mortgages, loans, etc.

But since there are so many applicants for these positions, you now need a Bachelors degree in Economics, Business Administration, or similar.

I've seen job ads for bank greeters and receptionists that required a bachelors.