Is the U.S. number 1 in education?

Not even close good sir. That is why i would rather work then go back to school.

Apples, oranges, it's a thing...

The differences between different higher education institutions in the U.S. is massive. When you compare between countries the differences are even more stark. A full scholarship to Libya U. probably wouldn't help you out as much in the long run as even a bachelor's from Chico State that costs you $40,000 or so.

To make things even more complicated, subjective price theory tells us that things can and will cost different amounts at different times and places. If Libya had colleges as good as Chico State, they'd cost proportionally much more for Libyans even after you adjust for inflation. This is the "go to South East Asia, live like a King" syndrome in reverse.

Is the U.S. number 1 in education (debt)?

fixed that for you

You are right. Even in Colombia goverment pays for education. I assisted a great engineering university there for $150 bucks per semester. That's free if you ask me.

But you need to have exellent grades and pass a high school graduation exam with flying colors. Everybody wants to be admited to the public university but if you can't get good grades you'll be paying around $1500-$4000 in a private college and those actually suck.

According to a speech I recently gave in American Government we WERE #1, but according to Newsweek we are now #10 in college graduates.

it was till 1990 and it still is.
But the authority of teachers have been eroded and your education is highly political and radical.Both right and left wings are trying to control education and left wingers have won .
plus the cots of taking degree is too high.education must be free.In the end,paid degrees dont work out.Only rich people and women will be able to study.men will be forced to give up education

i just compared number of engineering graduates per country and usa falls behind in numbers but not in quality.
but the current "for profit" education was never tried before on this scale in modern democracies,so i dont know what will happen

all I know is when you go to a doctor it is usually a foreign doctor. Engineers are a dime a dozen from India.