People attend college for a lot of different reasons. I believe that the most common reasons are to prepare for a career, to have new experiences, to increase their knowledge of the world around them. Career preparation is probably the primary reason that people attend college. These days, the job market is very competitive and careers such as information technology will need many new workers in the near future.
Students also go to college to have new experiences. For many it is their first time away from home. At college, they can meet new people from many different places. They can see what life is like in a different city.
At college students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge. As they decide what they want to study, and interact with their classmates. They also have the opportunity to learn about many subjects in their classes. In addition to the skills and knowledge related to their career. For many, this will be their last chance to study different subjects.
Colleges offer much more than career preparation. They offer the opportunity to have new experiences and to learn many kinds of things. I think all of these are reasons why people attend college.