According to the posts in this thread: yes, the same thing can happen.
Some exceprts:
Strange, every single one of my citizens had a HS education, most even college, and they still worked the farms, albeit for a higher wage, but it's not like I couldn't afford that or anything
I had a game where very early on when educated Tropicans are in short
supply, a college educated female named 'Ana' refused to take a $10
teaching job over her $5 farm job.
The chance of a tropican getting into a job depends on the job
statisfaction and prior experience. They won't leave a 9$ farm for a
12$ sweat shop factory. Basically it means that you're not paying HS
educated enough.
I'm looking around for a more reliable source, which will give a more detailed explanation on why this happens but have not yet found one yet. Either way though, four people in that thread reported this happening so obviously it does happen.