What underlying societal change is most likely responsible for the increased emphasis on higher education in recent decades?

The biggest change that has pushed higher education to the front of society’s agenda is the shift from a manufacturing‑based economy to a knowledge‑based one, where jobs require skills that are taught in colleges and universities. As technology grows and companies compete worldwide, they need workers who can solve complex problems and adapt to new tools, and these abilities are usually developed through college courses. Because higher education now offers a clearer path to better jobs and higher earnings, families and governments see it as a way to move up the social ladder. For example, a high school graduate who earns a computer‑science degree can start a software career that pays far more than a manual‑labor job, showing the practical payoff of a degree. This link between education, skill demand, and economic opportunity explains why society now values college more than ever.