I recall neighbors asking me where my son was going to college, not whether, but where. It was an expectation. I told one lady he was spending the summer at some French beach resort that had a good exercise program, riflry, climbing, swimming, and he would get paid for it.
It's what most kids figure they should do rather than work. I had a gf in HS who was pretty smart and wasn't interested in college, she had a job as a telephone operator and was just sticking with that. A lot of girls were going for that MRS. degree.