> I mean, is a university education not a sort of scam?

Whether or not "college education" in general is "a scam" can be debated for sure.

But we aren't talking about "college education" - imagine paying for "college education" but it's a scam so you end up with less money and no education.

It might be - especially in the US, where you have to pay for it (or go into debt); but it could be worse, and likely worse scams were run in the past until they were stamped out by regulation.

Study something that will get you a good job, if that’s what you’re interested in.