Read the following excerpt from a scholarly article analyzing the relationship between education and economic mobility:
The role of education in fostering economic mobility cannot be overstated. Research indicates that higher educational attainment is directly correlated with increased income potential, yet many argue that access to quality education remains disproportionately available to affluent communities. Critics of this inequality contend that systemic barriers limit the educational opportunities of lower-income individuals, perpetuating cycles of poverty. However, some proponents suggest that alternative pathways — such as vocational training and apprenticeships — can serve as viable substitutes for traditional four-year degrees. The debate arises: is the push for universal college education overshadowing these alternatives?