"They’ve systematically defunded the education systems ". So true, and also funneled resources to for-profit faux educational institutions, and sent other public tax revenues to institutions that promote non-secular dogmas.

Also, college leadership has focused way too many resources on semi-pro sports in exchange for television revenues and supporting local entertainment industries. This encourages chasing the get rich quick mantra that doesn't exist anywhere in the general population but plays well in pumped up media stories.