I also think this is why we see LACs adding more “vocationally” oriented majors - engineering, business (even if just a general business), etc.
At the same time, we also see big schools cutting the humanity type majors and focusing more on STEM, business, engineering or other quant majors.
People want bang for their buck - and yes, I know there are defenders of things like Classics or Anthropology - but by and large those type majors don’t have the initial employment success and I know not everyone on this board thinks that the purpose of going to college is to find a good job and employment prospects but I’m guessing for most Americans that it is.
I always note that the top LACs don’t show their salaries on the career outcomes table. I don’t want to go down a rabbit hole again but there’s a reason they don’t I’m sure while a Bucknell or Richmond do - because they are producing what people want to pay for whereas maybe the others aren’t.
But I think your trend toward vocations comment is exactly correct.