Note that in several countries in Europe, studying is free of charge or only costs a symbolic fee (scholarships aside).

The university system is thousands of years old, and it would be disastrous if it were abolished. I'm a self-taught developer, who also obtained two Masters and a Ph.D. later, and I can attest to it that the speed of learning at uni cannot be compared with the speed of learning via self study, especially self-study in isolation.

Having said this, learning only in groups/herds is also not the best approach IMHO, there is something to sitting alone and figuring something out without external help, at least occasionally, as it trains your analytical skills, your ability to concentrate and it gives you grit/perseverance.