Plus, getting a job is a numbers game. While there are, in absolute numbers, more jobs in large population areas, there are many more people wanting to have those jobs.
When you are competing against 100 other people for a particular job, you need something special to set yourself apart in order to gain the attention of the employer. A college degree, especially before it became popular to get one, was seen as a highly distinguishing feature.
When you are in a community that only has 100 people in total, you might be the only person who applies for the job, guaranteeing you the spot no matter what your background is.
When you are competing against 100 other people for a particular job, you need something special to set yourself apart in order to gain the attention of the employer. A college degree, especially before it became popular to get one, was seen as a highly distinguishing feature.
When you are in a community that only has 100 people in total, you might be the only person who applies for the job, guaranteeing you the spot no matter what your background is.