What is the "purpose" of higher education?

This is a helluva good question. Once upon a time, I thought I knew. I'm not so sure anymore. Our institutions of higher education have been perverted into indoctrination centers and I can't see any downside except that people who attend them come away with a complete lack of ability to think for themselves. They possess no common sense. Now, before you dismiss me as some old crackpot, let me assure you that I am. I've seen too much to avoid being old or a crackpot. I lived in Colorado at a time when the state considered allowing people who had studied law in a legal practice under the tutelage of a practicing lawyer, to take the bar exam and become licensed attorneys. The law schools made sure that went away. I've seen doctors fresh out of medical school who need nurses to teach them the ropes of practicing medicine. The truth is, that people learn professions by practicing them. That's why they're called medical practices and legal practices. Meanwhile, engineering students are taught engineering on the job. Their degrees seem to prepare them for that profession as practiced in another age, long ago, when their professors might have been engineers. Shall I go on? Naw. That's enough for now. In all my years, I hoped for much from college grads and learned to expect little. Hopefully they could read. Many couldn't. Better yet, read for understanding. That was really rare. Research. Debate. Cipher (you know, basic math) The scientific method? Good luck finding that. History? Civics? Not one iota.

Being a BA or MA is usually the key to get a job in a corporate setting. A PHD is normally of value, if seriously applied. The ability to research subjects and evaluate them is what separates them from other which results in advancing in a corporate structure. There are exceptions. I have hired all sorts of education levels, the PHD is the only one that was able to pass me up, on occasion. Most of them were arrogant self centered A-holes.

Higher education is something that prepares a person for "adult" life. When you study, you receive skills and knowledge in the field you're interested in. Also, during studies, you meet a lot of new people and make different connections. An education is not only about getting a diploma. It's about getting skills like communication, problem-solving, and so on. I'm a student now, yes, it's hard, but now we have the Internet, where we can find everything to succeed. I know a lot of educational resources and sites; for example, when it comes to writing, from time to time, I use this site https://edubirdie.com/examples/biotechnology/ where I can find some essay samples on topics, and they help me a lot. I always can find some ideas to finish my writing and not to miss the deadline. And it's also a skill - to be able to find something you need to avoid getting into trouble.