There's a really good book that looks at how inequality in education across the system is the source of a lot of resentment at various levels. It argues to do more to address this (also making a case against loan forgiveness as this benefits a minority of the country - an argument that did result in a lot of anger against the book.) That said, it makes a good case for minimizing educational inequality as well as social inequality to address growing resentment, again, amongst various groups, who feel the system is failing them. The upshot is yes, it's failing everyone: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691171807/can-college-level-the-playing-field