Should Higher Education be Free?

College education is very important for many people. However, a lot of us cannot afford it because it is expensive. Providing free college education would be easier for students because they would not have to worry about the cost of classes or books, allowing them to focus more on their studies. Qualified students should be given a free college education because of its exorbitant cost, which, in turn, will help them find a career that they enjoy. Maria, a student who just graduated from high school with good SAT scores and grades, unfortunately cannot go to college because she does not have the money to afford it.

She hails from an immigrant family that has a very low income, making it very hard for her to pursue college education because acquiring a loan would put her in debt. Many students, like Maria, are unable to receive the education they yearn for.

The average debt of borrowers pursuing a master’s degree in a non-profit college increased by 30 percent between the years 2001 and 2015 (Erik Maslow). "The rise of the cost of loan debt has reached a record 1.5 trillion, more than twice what consumers owe on credit cards," (Erik Maslow). The average debt per person in the United States is about 30,000 dollars (Debt Association). People spend a lot of money on college education, which as a result, can land us in lifelong debt. “If people did not have this amount of student loan debt, they could afford to buy houses, consumer items, and contribute more to the economy” (Alan Greenblatt).

Many high school students with good grades come from low-income households, and they are often not the ones who go to good schools. Even though these students were successful in high school, we often see that they do not have the opportunity to attend college. We are wasting the intelligence of many people by not supporting them with their college education.

In addition to worrying less about costs, students would be able to focus more on their college education with free tuition. This would result in more students graduating on time, ready to take up quality jobs, and improve our society. Student aid has not been significantly helpful in recent years. For example, today, a federal Pell grant only covers 30 percent of the average cost of attending a four-year college or university (Mark Huelsman).

In 1973, it used to cover 75 percent of the cost (Alan Greenblatt). Student aid has changed immensely, and not everyone is eligible to receive it. There's a lot of injustice with student aid because many people who really need it are not considered “qualified” (Erich Gonzales).

Over the past half-century, a college degree has been the primary ticket to a better future. Workers with only a high school education have fallen behind and are more likely than college students to be unemployed and live in poverty (Mark Huelsman). In 2016, the average salary for a college graduate was $44,000 compared to a high school graduate who earned only $25,000 (Marc Joseph). Not having a college degree can lead to life difficulties like affording a place to live or owning a car ("Public University Values").

There are different ways where we can make college education free. For example, students who volunteer with Americorps could have a free college education. Bill Clinton also created various types of programs to allow the federal government to provide education where they can learn different types of jobs. The former president, Bill Clinton, also wanted to create ways where low-income students would have a free college education. He said, "If there were more college graduates, the country would improve immensely, as well as the economy." (Sue Kirchhoff)

A free college education could also make a significant impact in the United States. People with more college degrees would help the economy grow. Free college would benefit the country because there would be more jobs available, and there would be less poverty. (Emily Bohatch) More people will choose higher-paying jobs than the ones that offer minimum wage. The economy will grow faster and would contribute billions of dollars to the country. Free college would open opportunities to many students around the country. People would be more educated, and there would be less delinquency. Having a free college education would significantly impact the country.

People would have more freedom to contribute with more talents and ideas. They will pursue their dreams. This will make the lives of many people much happier. A college-educated person could make better decisions in society, which can make solving problems easier.

Many bright high school students do not apply to colleges because they cannot afford it. However, having free college education would offer them more opportunities and they can succeed in their life. Not having free college can result in students graduating with a high amount of loan debt, which will reduce the chances of owning a house, getting married, or accumulating good wealth. This would make the person struggle economically.

Providing free education can bring several benefits to the country. It would prepare people for the workforce and society. It will offer more opportunities to learn new things. It will also help the country to have less public assistance and improve the economy.

According to Mark Huelsman, the Director for Policy and Research, providing a major education investment could be one of the best inventions nationwide. Free college is not a new idea. It existed in several states, and debt-free college is certainly not new; it wasn't until the mid-1990s that most people had to borrow to finance a four-year degree. (Mark Huelsman) Huelsman thinks that the movement towards free college education is a necessary corrective after decades of unfulfilled promises. Now, the price to attend college continues to rise, even as income for most workers remains flat. Most students can no longer work their way through school without also taking on loans, and student loan delinquencies and defaults remain unconscionably high despite having generous loan repayment options. (Mark Huelsman)

On the other hand, policy analyst Mary Amselem argues that we should not implement free college education, asserting that it would be unaffordable. She anticipates significant negative changes in government due to the burden of college tuition expenses. Amselem contends that the required funding would burden taxpayers and stir widespread discontent. She maintains that the federal government has assumed control of college education financing, distributing a staggering 90 percent of student loans (Amselem). She avers that student loans significantly aid those attending college, providing substantial support in paying tuition (Amselem).

Loans are not always the best method of financial assistance. Often, they are a last resort, as they can lead to substantial debt. Many people take out loans, which can sometimes do more harm than good. After graduation, they are left with massive debts that may outweigh their income, making it a struggle to cover basic necessities, let alone their loans. The burden of student loan debt can lead to long-term problems like difficulties in purchasing a house, buying a car, or starting a family. Take Manuel for example — a college graduate who, five years later, is still grappling with a mountain of student loan debt. This situation is causing him significant hardship, complicating his plans to purchase a house and start a family.

Post-graduation, many individuals hope for a bright future free from the anxieties brought on by burdensome debt. There is a very real risk that the stress of such debt could lead to severe mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, which in extreme cases could even precipitate suicide. Not everyone can bear the pressure of owing vast sums of money.

Free college education could solve many of these challenges.

College education is extremely important to many people. However, it is often financially out of reach due to the astronomical costs involved. Free education could cultivate a better-educated society, fostering improved decision-making and less poverty. Free college education could help us foster a more progressive nation that genuinely cares for its citizens. It carries the potential for widespread benefits. More individuals would qualify for higher paying jobs and grow into skilled professionals. This, in turn, could lead to a more judicious society.

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