[Towle_]

As soon as employers made college a necessity for jobs of any significant income (and even some of shockingly low income, such as “receptionist”) back in the 80s or 90s, college started increasing tuition costs into the stratosphere. The cost for a four year degree at even a modest state school is now, in technical economic terms, fucking ridiculous.

Other way around, bro. Big federal aid started ~1980, THEN everyone went to college, THEN since everyone has a degree, you may as well hire up overqualified recent grads, THEN it becomes a semi-requirement you have a degree to be a receptionist.

C'mon, man. Whole nations worth of individuals don't just up and decide everyone needs a degree for no reason. That wouldn't make any sense.