There are certainly downsides to those programs that progressives in the US would hate, though. For example, in Germany, part of why it works is that they have a fairly strict "tracked" system post-elementary school that's kind of classist, that makes gaining admittance harder.

Plus they don't really 'support' students in terms of counseling or special programs or anything the way US universities do; it's expected that you're an adult, and if you can't hack it, you're out. In practice, lack of support means students who come from more affluent, educated backgrounds have a large advantage over first-generation college students.