Maslow's pyramid is a thing. Once you are financially secure, those other levels of good stuff open up. For most common folk, college is about financial security because that is what they don't have. If you are born into a financially secure family, you cannot understand that and may give really had advice to poorer folks.

I understand but it's not worth the price tag or even close. There ought to be 10x more price efficient ways of getting that experience if not for free altogether.

Meh, turn that aspect into smaller “camps” or apprenticeship programs without the insane price tag.

People can get new experiences and meet people in much more efficient ways.