[philippnagel]

Well, it is not that selective.

According to the "Bildungsbericht 2014" 50% of all persons eligible to enter tertiary education do so [0]. In 2013 51.7% of people in the relevant age groups (18 - 21) were eligible for enrollment in a tertiary education program [1].

These are just some quickly researched numbers. Feel free to criticize!

On a personal note: I am a german student and trust me, even at institutions regarded to be high-tier (e.g. LMU Munich), you will find lots of people that should have rather entered an apprenticeship for example.

[0]: http://www.bildungsbericht.de/daten2014/wichtige_ergebnisse_... (in german)

[1]: http://www.datenportal.bmbf.de/portal/de/Tabelle-2.5.85.html

[rhino369]

25% going to college seems low. In America 63% of people have done some college, higher among those who are younger.

[HarryHirsch]

Americans take it for granted that the level of education at American colleges is extremely variable. Cornell is called "college" but Tumbleweed State Technical College is called college, too.

The education one would get out of university in Germany is equivalent to a top-25 college in the US. On that front, the Germans are doing rather well. How many Americans have a degree from a top-25 institution?

[roel_v]

"The education one would get out of university in Germany is equivalent to a top-25 college in the US. "

Yeah well I have to call bullshit on this one. Fachhochschule is tertiary, too.

[germanier]

You have to keep in mind that Germany has strong apprenticeship programs which include practical on-the-job training half of the time and vocational school the other half. Those are not included in the numbers above.

[nmrm2]

The 60ish percent number almost definitely includes community college ("2 year") degrees, which German apprenticeships mirror.

The percentage of Americans with a bachelors degree is closer to 28 percent.