Why does American pop culture portray college as an rite of passage?

The vast majority of Americans don’t go to college yet it is considered something everyone in their 20s do in pop culture.

Why does pop culture portray college as a rite of passage?

I am not saying this in a bad way. I think it would be better for society if everyone in their 20s completed at least a four year degree.

Perhaps for exactly the reason you state. It would be better for society for more people to be educated.