Hello Chuck Ellsworth,
This is something that i have noticed in the middle east, for expatriates. I haven't heard of many airlines in the US preferring those who have a university degree. I do know that Air Canada prefers those who have a university degree though, and there could be more airlines out there which want pilots with a university degree. I agree with you about this - (Being a pilot is really not much different than driving or operating any other mechanical device.) This is exactly what the vice president of flight training at emirates aviation college told me.
P.S. - read my reply to Lilflyboy