> But it's subsidized; so people who aren't getting an education are paying for those who do.
This is just another way of saying that the society cares about this issue!
To put an analogy: When a society cares about parenthood and children, non-parents pay some share to parents. This is how financial solidarity works. How else should that work? By telling parents that they do a great job, that you appreciate what they do for society, but not giving a single cent to them? That would be hypocritical, not solidary.