Well, I don't think that the student population will shrink by 95%; there are still lots of people who can get loans who think it's worth investing in their kids. And while there are a few higher-ed for-profits out there, most Universities and Colleges are not making profits of any kind. Some big ones might have general endowments, but most schools run break-even -- where would they get money to float loans? A big part of why higher ed jacked up tuition was because State and Federal spending was cut; I'm sure they'd be overjoyed to get better base funding and cut tuition across the board.

While I agree with this in principle, I think many/most employers are looking for some kind of accredited proof. Even certifications can be gamed, so completing even a short program still does have value.