Early on, many students could attend public land-grant universities for free. That was made possible because only a tiny portion of Americans attended college. However, each state’s financing also needed to grow when enrollment increased. As enrollment increased and state financing decreased, public colleges finally started charging tuition and hiking their rates. So, what if college was free?
Many public colleges in today’s society are so expensive that many students cannot afford to attend. As a result, students from lower-income homes are much less likely to enroll in college than children from higher-income families. This is true even though the federal government still offers financial aid to qualified students, including Pell Grants (which don’t require repayment).
This current reality draws me to the question: Should college be free? This idea has been floating around for a while and has people talking. Some folks think it’s a fantastic idea, opening doors for everyone, regardless of their financial situation. However, there are some concerns that it might affect the quality of education or who gets accepted.
Let’s find out.
Table of contents
- A Brief History Into Free Education In America
- Why College Should Be Free: Pros
- Are There Countries that Offer Free College Education?
- How Can Government Pay For Free Public College?
- Are There Reasons Why College Should Not Be Free? Cons
- What States Offer Free College in the US?
- Are there Alternatives to Free College?
- FAQs On Should College Be Free
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
A Brief History Into Free Education In America
The American Founding Fathers were the first to advocate for publicly supported education. In a 1785 letter, John Adams stated that “the whole people must take upon themselves the responsibility of the education of the whole people and must be willing to bear the expense of it.”
And, believe it or not, there was a period in American history when individuals could attend public colleges for free. Regardless of social status, every American has access to higher education because of the Morrill Act of 1862, which allowed states to establish land-grant schools on federally owned land. The goal was “to encourage the industrial classes’ liberal and practical education in the various endeavors and professions in life.”
The joint school movement, spearheaded by educational reformers such as Horace Mann, gained momentum in the 1830s and 1840s. It aimed to establish free and accessible public schools funded by taxes. This movement played a pivotal role in the development of public education in America, laying the foundation for free education as a public good.
Following World War II, there was a surge in demand for higher education. In response, the federal government passed the G.I. Bill in 1944, providing educational benefits to veterans. This legislation greatly expanded access to higher education and contributed to free or subsidized education for specific populations.
In the early days, students could often attend public land-grant colleges without paying tuition. That was possible because only a relatively small percentage of Americans attended college. But as enrollment grew over the years, so did the funding requirements in each state. That led to public colleges charging tuition and raising their fees as enrollment grew and state funding slowed.
It is important to note that while free education exists in America, the actual implementation varies across states and educational levels. Education funding primarily comes from federal, state, and local sources, with tax revenues crucial in supporting public education.
The history of free education in America reflects a continuous effort to provide accessible and affordable education to all citizens. While challenges and debates surrounding funding and equity persist, the commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for all remains a fundamental principle of the American education system.
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Why College Should Be Free: Pros
What would earning a degree be like if college isn’t as challenging to the pocket as it is today?
Here are a few reasons why we feel college should be free:
1. Improves Society
People are better at problem-solving when they have more education. This implies that society can advance more quickly.
According to Uopeople, people with knowledge can also better comprehend their society’s past and present economic problems. They might, therefore, be more motivated to engage in politics and advance their nation.
Additionally, the number of people employed in high-skilled occupations rises as more people get access to a college education. This will increase the number of people entering the labor force, which may help close the income gap between the upper, medium, and lower groups.
2. A Boosted Economy
Most students graduate with a huge amount of debt. In the U.S., the average student debt per person is $31,172.
Students who graduate with debt will likely keep accruing interest on their debt. As a result, it may take them many years to finally escape their seemingly endless debt. In the interim, this postpones spending on things like a house or car.
On the other hand, if someone were to graduate debt-free, it may hasten their ability to make money, put it away, and spend it. This promotes economic growth. As consumer spending rises, demand increases. Increased demand for goods and services also translates into greater chances for employment or increased demand for labor, promoting a prosperous economic cycle.
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3. Increased college enrollment
If tuition were free, graduating high school students wouldn’t have to consider cost when making a college list or selecting whether or not to go; instead, they would likely apply right away to their top choices. The popularity of prestigious schools and universities would increase.
On the other hand, public ones would receive more significant support from the federal and state governments. Additionally, businesses and organizations, not just degree-granting institutions, would gain from hiring a large pool of qualified candidates.
4. Lower dropout rate
There are many different reasons why students drop out of college. Up to 38% of all dropouts cite financial constraints as the cause, and a third of them quit college even before their sophomore year, according to a report by education data.
If you are from a low-income family, you would not bother about dropping out of college if colleges were free.
5. Increased financial stability
Everyone is aware that having a college degree increases one’s earning potential. The average starting income for graduates is $53,889, which is 2.5% higher than the average starting salary from years ago.
6. It Leads To Improved Focus
Students can concentrate more effectively on their studies when they are not concerned about money. Even though they receive loans and financial aid, students may still be preoccupied with concerns about how they will be able to repay them later. This added stress can negatively impact their focus when they are supposed to be learning.
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Are There Countries that Offer Free College Education?
With the understanding of how crucial free college education is, many countries have adopted that pattern and made it a way to go.
Here’s a look at some countries where college is free or subsidized by the government:
- Germany
- Austria (free for EU residents, low cost for non-EU residents)
- Finland
- Czech Republic
- France
- Spain (free for EU residents, low cost for non-EU residents)
How Can Government Pay For Free Public College?
Free college isn’t free. Someone must pay for it. For a public college, the payers fall under this category. However, some economists think that if the federal and state governments made a few simple reforms, every American who wants to could attend college for free. They do not consider the idea to be fantastical. They think it to be a highly viable choice. Some of the suggestions they have made are as follows:
- Eliminating the corporate tax loopholes that permit businesses to avoid paying their fair share of taxes lawfully
- Raising tax rates on the wealthiest millionaires and billionaires in America
- Imposing additional fees on speculative Wall Street trades
- Shifting the majority of public funds now allocated for student financial aid to the creation of tuition-free public schools and universities
- Reducing military spending
- Rutting a stop to unnecessary government spending
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Are There Reasons Why College Should Not Be Free? Cons
While making college free for all may be a great idea, there are downsides to it, many of which are worth considering. Let’s take a look at the cons of making college education accessible.
1. Increased student-to-faculty ratio
Attending a college with a low student-to-faculty ratio has many benefits. The most notable ones include improved learning environments, enhanced social involvement in the classroom, and more customized attention. So, in other words, it makes going to college more enjoyable.
In select classrooms at major universities, like MIT and CIT, the student-to-faculty ratio is as low as 3:1. If attending college were free, you might not have the chance to participate in round-table discussions because you would probably spend every class in a lecture hall where it is assumed that all students learn in the same way and at the same pace and that all teachers are qualified to meet the academic needs of every student.
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2. Underpopulated, less prestigious colleges
Many aspire to enroll in some of the country’s top colleges and universities. However, few people take the required actions to make that desire a reality.
Many people avoid attending elite schools because of the high tuition fees.
For this reason, if getting a degree was free, most high school graduates would attend elite institutions due to their newfound affordability, leaving less elite ones to resemble ghost towns. Although the expense might no longer be a barrier, some applicants might still feel intimidated by the level of selection.
3. Free College Isn’t Free
A free college education isn’t entirely free. Even if a program offers free tuition, students will still need to find a means to cover other college-related costs, such as books, lodging and board, transportation, high-speed internet, and maybe child care.
Legislators must consider these aspects when developing future free college schemes. Otherwise, Dimino and other observers worry that enrolling in college and investing in it could lead students to drop out for financial reasons, leaving them in a worse financial situation overall.
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4. Depletion of government funds
According to the latest data, the amount of money the US government allocates to the funding of public and state colleges is $189 billion.
Hence, the government would need to provide more funding to these institutions if there were no tuition fees to acquire a degree there, as more students would apply. Private donors to public schools and universities may also stop giving to prevent going bankrupt.
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What States Offer Free College in the US?
Several state initiatives offer free tuition for two- and four-year programs. However, free college doesn’t equate to free tuition.
Tuition-free students frequently still have to pay for expenses, including fees, lodging & board, and transportation. You can cover the cost by combining funds, grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. These and other living expenses may be paid for with student loans if necessary.
Here’s a list of states that offer free college:
- New York
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington State.
The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education lists 115 last-dollar community college programs and 16 first-dollar community college programs, though the majority are limited to California residents. In addition, The University of Southern California offers tuition-free attendance to families with an annual income of $80,000 or less. USC does not count home ownership in its financial need calculation.
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Are there Alternatives to Free College?
According to bipartisanpolicy.org, free colleges will not end the problem of college affordability in the US higher education system. Rather, providing flexible matching grants that serve as incentives to the education system will be a more pragmatic way to curb the high cost of attending college.
States providing these grants will be responsible for financing the higher education systems, reducing their overdependence on student loan debt.
Here are a few other alternatives to free public college that various people have put forward include:
- Increasing the current Pell Grant program significantly while reducing student loan borrowing.
- Putting money into a system with better community and youth development initiatives.
- Limiting the distribution of merit-based financial aid to wealthier students and directing that money toward expanding possibilities for students from lower and moderate-income groups.
- Expanding and strengthening the apprenticeship program for skilled crafts and other professions training.
- Instead of relying on the higher education system to deliver fully trained personnel, greater incentives should be created to encourage firms to offer more thorough on-the-job training.
- Increasing the incentives given to trade schools, colleges, and universities to keep tuition costs low.
- Putting money into improved pre-college education informs children in greater depth about their potential alternatives.
- Investing in improved financial education so that before enrolling in college or beginning their first job, all students become financially literate and understand how to make money work for them.
- Entrepreneurs developing online, affordable, and personalized alternatives to established higher education institutions should receive more public assistance, including funding for research and development.
FAQs On Should College Be Free
When people talk about college being free, they typically refer to eliminating or significantly reducing student tuition fees. This would mean that students would not have to pay out-of-pocket or take on student loans to cover the cost of tuition.
Various proposals exist for funding free college. Some suggest using tax revenues to cover the cost, while others propose reallocating funds from other areas of the government’s budget. Some advocate for public and private funding, such as public-private partnerships or philanthropic contributions.
Proponents argue that free college could increase enrollment rates, reduce student debt, and create a more educated and skilled workforce. It could also potentially address income inequality and provide equal opportunities for individuals who the high cost of education might otherwise deter.
While free college is one approach, alternative solutions to address college affordability include expanding financial aid programs, increasing scholarships, implementing income-based repayment plans for student loans, and encouraging more investment in vocational training and community colleges.
Conclusion
The history of free colleges in America reflects a continuous effort to provide accessible and affordable education to all citizens.
While challenges and debates surrounding funding and equity persist, the commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for all remains a fundamental principle of the American education system.
References
- uopeople.edu – 5 Reasons Why College Should Be Free: The Case for Debt-Free Education
- smartasset.com – The Pros and Cons of Free College
- collegerealitycheck.com – 10 Reasons Why College Should Not Be Free and 12 Reasons Why It Should Be
- thebalancemoney.com – Should College Be Free? The Pros and Cons
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