Been doing this in Europe for years,
I flew with a F/O a short while ago who had 146 hrs actual flying time (rest in a sim to make up the 250) prior to being given a job on a 320
There's some discussion about that here, in terms of cadet programs, like those run by Cathay, BA etc..
The college programs that are being used here are more generic programs designed to give people a commercial licence and some sort of post-secondary diploma, and then shoot them off into the wider job market to look for a flying position - far different than the focused, airline-constructed cadetships offered by major airlines in Europe and Asia..