This chapter critically examines the institutionalization of values in higher education through the lens of Ivan Illich’s theories. The chapter argues that state-run educational institutions have created a culture of dependency, where formal education is often conflated with genuine learning and personal growth. Illich’s skepticism about the effectiveness of compulsory schooling extends to higher education, questioning whether it genuinely enhances educational equality or merely perpetuates social disparities. The chapter also explores the concept of “self-certifying professional elites” who dictate the curriculum and academic standards, thereby monopolizing the discourse around what higher education should entail. It delves into the dangers of this top-down system, which turns individuals into passive clients reliant on specialized knowledge and services. The chapter further discusses Illich’s critique of the medical establishment and draws parallels between the institutionalization of medicine and education. It concludes by challenging the reader to question whether modern universities are evolving into entities that prioritize their own institutional survival over the core mission of education.