I wouldn't argue that only universities can do some of this but as someone who has just graduated high school it is often the only practical option.
And I missed attending university in this century by a little over a year. It has not changed that drastically.
Today, for someone who is graduating high school and they want to go into computer or software engineering or they want to be a lawyer, doctor, or teacher, or they want a career in pharmacy, chemical engineering or biology, what would you recommend they do? Not go to college? While spending a million dollars at an expensive private or out of state school may not be worth it, spending the cost of a new car at a community college and state university is probably a very good investment, at least in most cases.
well said.