Well, cav, that depends. There's no such thing as an EU education system, every single country has its own. Here in Germany, each of the 16 federal states has its own school system.
The only school system comparable to American education structure is Britain. All other countries are a bit difficult to compare. For example, most states in Germany and Austria here have 4 years of primary school, then you can choose either High School (another 5 years), or "Gymnasium" (=Lyceum, nothing to do with the American gym; another 9 years). Or you can stay on junior high for two more years and then change to a so-called "Middle School" (4 years).
Only if you pass the "Abitur" exam after Gymnasium (i.e. 13 years of school altogether), you are entitled to attend university. Here in Germany, there's a big political discussion about charging university fees going on right now, they're free now. That sounds fine, but most of the universities are overcrowded and underfinanced, practically without any sponsors from industry/economy. In many classes, there are only seats for half of the students, and very little affordable housing. For some faculties, access is restricted to those with the best Gymnasium exam results.
By and large, our elite students strive to get to American universities which offer much better career chances than most European universities, maybe except Oxford, Cambrigde, the Sorbonne, and the European Business Institute, but they, too, charge high fees.
It may be correct that the educational level of the average 15-17 years student in Europe is higher than in US, because the system is quite different. But IMO, American universities are superior to most of their European equivalents. However, studies show that most European students have less difficulties in American universities than their American counterparts in European schools, and not only because of the language barrier.
Those few cases of 15-17 yr old students attending university are extremely rare; only the most extremely gifted little geniuses can do that, maybe 10 in a million.
Most embassies provide excellent information on their educational systems and their universities, as well as offering opportunities for guest students. If you really wish to go to a European university, make sure you get all the information before making your decision. And don't forget the language problem either. 😎
