Like I wonder, how much better are people, let's say studing at elite college vs private college. I observed that my enviorment, is filled with smart people. But at my highschool enviorment, most people where without any form a identity. very uninteresting people. I study at public college,unpopular college for IT .(Proably because it is catholic, and isn't known for IT, more for humanity subjects). Atleast I don't have to pay.

difficult to generalize for all cases (cultures, educational systems, regions, etc)

you can learn whatever you want even without promise of certificate. and still be gigachad.