You can tell this is an ancient meme because it prices college at 4 years at $9,000 per year instead of 5 years at $30,000 per year 😆
Apprenticeships are infinitely more competitive than college applications. Not to say that the quality of education isn't much better, too, but most mentors are already swamped with dozens of apprenticeship requests. It's so competitive that most will expect you to already have some familiarity with the trade, whereas most colleges go into your education assuming you have very little experience with it.
Edit
Also
$19-$23 hour paid apprenticeships
Lmao only in already high COL areas. Plus having to compete with the 1,000+ other applicants (see above). Plus "we'll select a candidate in 4-6 months." Plus "must provide own tools. Our shop only allows Snap-On brand, here's a $2,200 shopping list in case you get chosen." Also "oh yeah that position was already filled last month, so-and-so's son just got out of rehab and needed a job."
T. An actual tradie of nearly a decade who has a proper 4 year university degree and tech school certification