I doubt that. I'm certain it has nothing to do with college levels.

I have two years of art school, just shy of an Associates Degree, a full Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, and some grad study halfway to a Masters in Graphic Design. My college years included numerous writing course both required and elective. I worked in graphic design for 25+ years in news and magazine print. I worked as a proofreader and EA in my time. My writing hasn't gotten a boost. As far as I know, I've never even gotten a top writer nod. Heck, I've never even gone viral. My Medium payout certainly can't support me – I average around $25 a month or so.

I've been a beta reader for a novelist friend of mine who has never been mainstream published. She graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor's in Journalism, and graduated with honors from the UM-C School of Journalism. She's not on Medium, but she's not in print either. If you want to check the sheer perfection of her writing, find her here: https://www.wattpad.com/user/AnnaIdanBerg

Who knows what vagaries drive Medium's algorithms. It certainly isn't competent or exceptional writing. You are an excellent editorial writer. I believe I have some talent in poetry and essays. Harry Hogg is exemplary. Doesn't mean squat to Medium.

But then, we don't do this to appease Medium. We write because we must. Our souls pour onto the page… our creative drive giving it breath.