This is what keeps me from going back to school. I got an English Literature degree twelve years ago and almost never had real conversations with professors. I also had several who were even more bored than I was in their classes. But mostly (and I do mean mostly) I was taught by TAs who were only a couple years older than me - overworked, underpaid, and not really there. 
I have thought about going back and getting a couple more degrees and maybe teaching college, but I think I would lose my mind in the process.
Also, I live in a college town and I don't see kids who seem all that interested in learning. Like you said, it's all about numbers. I thought college was for learning. I was obviously wrong.