Higher education has characteristics of being a consumption good and an investment good. If you gain a skill set from your higher education that ensures you a higher probability of being employed and thus have less need for public assistance, society in general is better off.
In my opinion, I agree with this article because I think education is an investment good one. If I study in higher education, I will get a chance to work more. Perhaps the knowledge and ability that I may have more than others.
Lastly, higher education is a consumption good with benefits, not only to the consumer but society as a whole and, perhaps more importantly for the individual consumer, it's an investment with a great rate of return.