> It was pitched to most kids as a panacea for poverty.

Late high school years in the mid 90s, I remember looking into job placement rates that were part of the pitch from higher ed schools. We knew that the purpose was to get a job, not just to go and get any degree and hope for the best. I recall the phrase "a degree in basket weaving" was common. We figured there are degrees that are just garbage. So maybe I was more fortunate in my circumstances. Then again, some people did go for those basket weaving degrees even though they knew they were garbage. I think there was a lot of pressure to do anything but work toward a trade skill and get a job.