Sure. I agree with that general notion. I'm just of the mind that many more people will get an education in a directed experience than in a self-taught manner.

It's rather like the famous anecdote of the would-be musician who asks a famous self-taught master how they should approach becoming a musician. Paraphrasing: Aspirant: "How do I go about becoming a great musician?" Master: "Go to school." Aspirant: "But you never went to school." Master: "I never had to ask anyone 'how', either".

Which is to say: those who are capable and willing to do self-directed learning will do so regardless. For anyone who seeks/takes advice on how to proceed "go to college" remains the best answer.

Education is not enough. It needs to be converted into "knowledge that can be applied". That is the part that college handles. I would much rather go to a surgeon that has gone to college/univ over someone who has read all about surgery on wikipedia during his travels to Thailand.