For instance: developing citizens who demonstrate critical thinking, responsibility, organization, independence, collaboration, initiative and self-regulation.

Not all of these are easily measurable, but all contribute to a prosperous and free society.

Yet every non-uni worker seems to develop those skills without going to university.

It would be interesting to measure. Critical thinking in particular doesn't seem to be taught.

I personally believe none of those skills were taught during my own engineering degree. For me it was a lot of simple regurgitation against closed ended test questions. In hindsight mostly a fucking waste of time: a piece of paper to get a job.