essays on why college should be free

19+ Reasons College Should be Free (Pros and Cons)

Imagine owing more money than you can even think of, right after you finish school. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn't it?

Well, for millions of people, this isn't just a bad dream—it's reality. In the United States, the total student loan debt has reached a mind-blowing $1.7 trillion! That's trillion, with a 'T'.

It's like buying about 340,000 really fancy houses or going on a lifetime supply of vacations but instead, it's money owed by students.

College is free in some places in the world, and even in some U.S. States. But most college costs tens or hundreds-of-thousands of dollars. 3 main reasons supporters think college should be free are: the rising cost of tuition, increasing equality, and the social benefits from a more educated populace.

Should college be free? You might think, "Sure, who doesn't like free stuff?" But it's not as simple as that. The price and experience of college is a social construct that can be really hard to change.

We'll explore how college got so expensive in the first place, what people are saying about making it free, and examples from places that have already tried it.

The Rising Cost of College Tuition

Once Upon a Time: A Glimpse of the Past

Believe it or not, attending college was once a much more affordable dream for many Americans. If we set our time-travel dials to the 1970s, the average annual tuition cost at a four-year public university was approximately $358—yes, you read that right!

When we adjust for inflation, that would be around $2,200 today. Now contrast this with the modern price tag: according to the Education Data Initiative , the average cost of tuition as of 2023 was $9,678 for in-state students and a whopping $27,091 for out-of-state students at public universities. For private universities, the annual average shot up to around $38,768.

Rocketing to New Heights: What's Driving the Cost?

The burning question is, why have these numbers skyrocketed? Multiple factors come into play.

First and foremost, colleges and universities have expanded their amenities and facilities. Students these days are often welcomed with state-of-the-art gyms, luxe dorms, and even gourmet dining options. While these add-ons certainly make college life more appealing, they also hike up the overall cost.

Another culprit is the administrative bloat. The number of non-teaching staff at many institutions has grown significantly. From 1975 to 2005, the number of administrators and managerial employees in higher education institutions more than doubled, according to the Department of Education. Their salaries, benefits, and offices add another layer of expense that is often passed on to students.

State funding—or rather, the lack of it—also shares the blame. For decades, state governments have been reducing their contributions to public higher education. A report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities revealed that between 2008 and 2018, state funding for two- and four-year colleges was slashed by nearly $7 billion after adjusting for inflation.

The Heavy Price of Loans: A Debt-Fueled Future

The rising costs inevitably lead students and families to the daunting world of student loans. It doesn't matter if you are a trained skillsperson or a white-collar businessman , college is expensive and loans don't pay themselves.

As of 2023, about 45.3 million Americans are shackled with student loan debt , which has crossed the staggering $1.77 trillion mark.

To give you a clearer picture: the average borrower from the Class of 2021 graduated with approximately $29,100 in student loan debt. And 54% of the 2021 Class held this debt.

But what does this debt mean in real-life terms? Imagine you're a 22-year-old fresh out of college with that average debt. Even if you manage to land a job right away, a good chunk of your paycheck will go to loan payments for years to come. For some, this means delaying major life milestones like buying a house, getting married, or starting a family.

So, clearly, something needs to be done. Let's get into the specific reasons some people believe college should be free. Later, we'll talk about the various debates around free college tuition.

Economic Reasons for Free College

• Increased Access to Higher Education : Making college free would mean more people could go to college without the fear of financial burden, increasing accessibility for low and middle-income families.
• Higher Earning Potential : College graduates, on average, earn more than those with just a high school diploma. This means they contribute more in taxes over their lifetimes.
• Reduced Student Loan Debt : A large portion of the U.S. population is struggling with student loan debt, which has economic repercussions like delaying the ability to buy a home or start a family.
• Boosts Economy : A better-educated workforce can contribute more effectively to the economy, leading to faster growth and increased innovation.
• Less Reliance on Social Programs : People with higher education are less likely to rely on social programs like food stamps and unemployment benefits, saving the government money in the long run.
• Global Competitiveness : To compete globally, a country needs a well-educated workforce. Free college could be a step toward that goal.
• Reduced Unemployment : Higher education often leads to higher employability and can help in reducing overall unemployment rates.

Social Reasons for Free College

• Social Mobility : Access to higher education is key for upward social mobility. Free college can level the playing field for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Increased Civic Engagement : Studies have shown that college graduates are more likely to vote, volunteer, and engage in civic activities.
• Equality : Making college free can help close the racial, gender, and socio-economic gaps in higher education attendance and graduation rates.
• Better Health : Higher education is correlated with better health outcomes, including longer life expectancy and better mental health.
• Diversity : Free college can lead to a more diverse workforce, as more people from various backgrounds have the opportunity to attend college and enter fields they might otherwise not have considered.
• Educational Freedom : Students might feel freer to pursue degrees in the humanities, arts, or social sciences, instead of opting for degrees that they perceive will "pay off" more quickly to cover their student loan debts.

Moral and Philosophical Reasons for Free College

• Right to Education : Some argue that, like K-12 education, higher education is a right and should be available to all, irrespective of income.
• Public Good : Education is often cited as a public good that benefits society as a whole, not just the individual receiving the education.
• Human Capital : In the knowledge economy, human capital is one of the most valuable resources. Free college can be seen as an investment in a country's human capital.

Practical Reasons for Free College

• Simplification of Financial Aid : A free college system could potentially simplify the complicated financial aid system, making it easier for students to apply and receive support.
• Teacher Recruitment : If college is free, the teaching profession might attract more qualified candidates who are currently deterred by the prospect of low salaries combined with high student debt.
• Encourages Lifelong Learning : Without the barrier of cost, adults and older citizens might be more inclined to return to school to upskill or change careers, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.

Debates Around Free College

The idea of making college free has sparked passionate arguments, both for and against. On the one hand, proponents argue that free college can transform society, making it more equitable and prosperous. Detractors, however, counter that it's not as simple or as financially viable as it sounds.

The Pros: Where Supporters Stand

Equality and Access : Advocates often point out that free college would make higher education accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial background. Data from the Pell Institute shows that in 2016, only 11% of low-income students graduated with a bachelor's degree within six years, compared to 58% of their higher-income peers.

Economic Upliftment : Free college could be an investment in human capital, leading to a more skilled workforce. According to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, 65% of all jobs in the American economy will require education beyond high school by 2027.

Reducing the Debt Burden : With student loan debt surpassing $1.77 trillion, supporters argue that free college could alleviate this massive financial strain affecting millions of Americans.

The Cons: Where Critics Stand

Cost to Taxpayers : One of the most common arguments against free college is the cost. Critics point out that somebody has to pay for it, and that "somebody" is often the taxpayer. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, free public college would cost around $79 billion a year .

Quality Concerns : Some worry that making college free could lead to overcrowded classes and reduced educational quality. Already, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center , only about 60% of college students complete their bachelor's degrees within six years.

Fairness Question : Critics argue that free college could be seen as a subsidy for wealthier families who can already afford tuition, thereby increasing income inequality rather than reducing it.

The Middle Ground: Compromise Solutions

Some experts propose middle-ground solutions like income-based repayment plans or free community college as a stepping stone.

For instance, Tennessee's free community college program, Tennessee Promise , has seen considerable success since its inception in 2014. The program has increased college enrollment among high school graduates by 4.6%.

International Examples: What Can We Learn?

Several countries like Germany, Norway, and Finland offer free higher education and have seen positive societal impacts.

In Germany, where tuition is free for undergraduate students, the percentage of young people who attend university is higher than the U.S. However, critics note that these countries often have higher tax rates to fund such programs.

Public Opinion: What Do People Think?

Interestingly, public opinion is shifting in favor of free college. A 2023 poll from The Campaign for Free College Tuition showed that 70-81% of voters in the U.S. support making public colleges and universities tuition-free. The numbers are even higher among younger demographics, suggesting that the idea is gaining traction.

Economic Benefits of Free College

More money in your pocket: higher wages.

Let's start with something everyone can understand: money. If you graduate from college, you're likely to earn more money than someone who didn't.

In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average weekly earnings for someone with a bachelor's degree were about $1,334, while someone with just a high school diploma earned around $899. That's a big difference! Over a lifetime, college graduates could earn up to $1 million more than those who only finished high school.

Bye-Bye, Student Loans!

Imagine not having to worry about paying back a big student loan every month. Wouldn't that be great?

According to data, around 45 million Americans owe a massive $1.7 trillion in student loans. That's trillion with a "T"! These loans can stick around for years, making it hard for people to buy homes, start families, or even just enjoy life without a mountain of debt hanging over them. Free college would mean that students wouldn't start their adult lives deep in the hole.

A Bigger, Better Economy

When people earn more, they also spend more. And when they spend more, the whole economy gets a boost.

The more you earn, the more you pay in taxes, which means more money for public projects and services like roads, schools, and hospitals. Remember that study from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce says that by 2027, about 65% of all jobs will require some form of higher education? That means we need a workforce that's ready for those jobs.

Less Stress on Social Services

People with college degrees are less likely to need things like unemployment benefits or food stamps.

Only about 2% of people with a bachelor's degree rely on food stamps , compared to 12% of those with only a high school diploma. By making college free, we're actually saving money in the long run because fewer people would need to use these kinds of social services.

Businesses Love It, Too!

You might be surprised to hear this, but a lot of businesses actually like the idea of free college. Why? Because they want workers who are skilled and educated.

Companies often spend a lot of money on training new employees. If more people had access to college, businesses could save on these costs and get employees who are ready to hit the ground running.

A Snowball Effect: More Benefits Down the Road

Making college free could have a snowball effect. That means one good thing leads to another, and another.

For example, if more people can go to college, that could lead to more entrepreneurs starting new businesses. Those new businesses would create more jobs. And guess what? More jobs mean a stronger economy!

Investing in Our Future

In the end, free college isn't just a nice idea; it's a smart investment in our country's future. It's like planting a seed. You water it, take care of it, and watch it grow. Over time, that small seed turns into a tree that provides shade, fruit, and even cleaner air.

Just like that tree, the benefits of free college could grow and touch many parts of our lives, making the country a better place for everyone.

Social Benefits of Free College

More than just money: the bigger picture.

When we talk about free college, it's easy to focus on dollars and cents. But what about the stuff that's harder to put a price tag on? We're talking about the good things that can happen in our communities and society if more people could go to college without worrying about the cost. Let's dive in!

Leveling the Playing Field: Greater Equality

First up is equality. Right now, your chances of going to college often depend on how much money your family has. That's not fair, is it? Free college could be a game-changer. It would give everybody a fair shot at getting a higher education, no matter where they come from.

Breaking the Chain: Ending the Cycle of Poverty

Education is like a key that can unlock a better future. For many people, it's a way out of poverty. When you're educated, you're more likely to get a good job, which means you're less likely to struggle with money. And guess what? That goodness doesn't stop with you. When you do better, your kids are more likely to do better, too. It's a cycle, but a good one!

A Smarter Society: Better Decision-Making

When people are educated, they make better decisions. That includes everything from picking the right foods to eat to understanding complex issues like climate change or social justice. An educated public is better at making choices that benefit everyone. This is crucial, especially when it comes to voting for our leaders.

Healthier Lives: A Boost for Public Health

Did you know that people with higher levels of education tend to live healthier lives? Yep, it's true! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults with a bachelor's degree or higher are less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise compared to those with less education. If more people could go to college, we could end up with a healthier nation.

Strengthening Communities: More Civic Engagement

Here's another cool benefit: educated people are more likely to be involved in their communities. They're more likely to volunteer, attend public meetings, and even join local organizations. A study by the College Board Research found that 40% of adults with a bachelor's degree volunteered, compared to only 19% of high school graduates.

Happier Lives: Boosting Mental Health

Last but not least, let's talk about happiness. Education can lead to better mental health. When people have good jobs and stable lives, they're less likely to suffer from stress and anxiety. And who doesn't want to be happier?

A Society We All Want to Live In

Free college can do more than just help individuals; it can help all of us. From making society more equal and smarter to improving public health and even boosting our spirits, the social benefits of free college could make our country a better place to live for everyone.

Examples of Places Where College is Free or Subsidized

First off, let's get something straight: free or very affordable college isn't just a pie-in-the-sky dream. It's real, and it's happening in different parts of the world. Some places even have it right here in the United States! Let's take a closer look at these examples to see what we can learn.

A Taste of Tennessee: Free Community College

Let's start close to home with Tennessee. Yup, you heard right! In Tennessee, they have a program called the Tennessee Promise. High school graduates can go to community college for two years without paying a cent in tuition.

Guess what? Since this program started in 2014, college enrollment shot up by 4.6%, according to a study in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.

New York's Excelsior Program

New York State offers the Excelsior Scholarship, a program that makes public colleges tuition-free for families earning less than $125,000 a year. However, there's a catch: after graduating, students must live and work in New York for the same number of years they received the scholarship. If not, the scholarship turns into a loan.

Across the Pond: Germany's Example

Let's hop over the ocean to Germany, where tuition for undergraduate students is free at public universities. That even goes for international students! And it's not like these are second-rate schools. Some German universities are ranked among the top in the world.

The Nordic Model: Sweden, Norway, and Finland

Heading north, countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland also offer free higher education. Students only pay a small administrative fee each semester, which is usually less than $100. These countries believe that everyone has the right to education, regardless of their bank balance.

The South American Surprise: Argentina and Brazil

Now, let's fly across the globe to South America. Countries like Argentina and Brazil offer free or very low-cost higher education. In Brazil, the best universities are actually the public ones, and they're free! However, it's super competitive to get in.

The Catch: Higher Taxes and Competitive Entry

Now, it's important to note that free college often comes with its own set of challenges. For example, countries that offer free tuition usually have higher taxes. Plus, getting into these colleges can be super tough because so many people want to go.

Lessons We Can Learn

So, what can we take away from all this? First, free or low-cost college is totally doable. Second, each place has its own way of making it work, whether it's through higher taxes, tough entrance exams, or special rules like staying in the state after graduation.

A World of Possibilities

As you can see, the idea of free or subsidized college isn't just a pipe dream; it's a reality in many places. These examples show that there are different paths to the same goal: making higher education accessible to everyone.

How Can College Education be Free?

We've talked a lot about why free college is a good idea. But now comes the million-dollar question: How do we actually make it happen? Don't worry; people have been thinking hard about this, and there are some pretty cool ideas out there.

Tax the Super Rich: A Popular Suggestion

One idea that's getting a lot of attention is taxing the super-rich. That means the government would take a little extra money from people who have a whole lot of it and use that to pay for free college.

For example, Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed a 2% annual tax on households with a net worth between $50 million and $1 billion. According to estimates, this could raise around $2.75 trillion over 10 years. That's more than enough to make public colleges free and even help with other things like healthcare!

Closing Tax Loopholes: Every Penny Counts

You might not know this, but there are all sorts of ways people and companies can avoid paying taxes. These are called "tax loopholes," and they can add up to a lot of money. Closing these loopholes could free up extra funds that could be used for education.

Cutting Wasteful Spending: Trim the Fat

Another idea is to look at where the government is already spending money and see if any of it could be better used for education. Maybe there are programs that aren't really working or areas where the government is spending more than it needs to. By "trimming the fat," we could find the money for free college without raising taxes.

Partnerships with Private Companies

What if businesses chipped in to help make college free? Some companies already offer scholarships or have programs to help their employees go back to school. Expanding these partnerships could be a win-win: companies get educated workers, and students get to go to college for free or at a lower cost.

State and Federal Programs

Making college free doesn't have to be something that only the federal government does. States can get in on the action too! In fact, some states like Tennessee and New York have already started their own programs. The federal government could help by matching the money states put in, making it easier for them to offer free or reduced tuition.

Sliding Scale Tuition: Pay What You Can

Here's another idea: what if the cost of college was based on how much your family can afford? Some colleges are already doing this. They look at your family's income and then decide how much you should pay. That way, people who can afford to pay more do, and those who can't, pay less or nothing at all.

Multiple Roads to the Same Destination

As you can see, there's no one-size-fits-all solution to making college free. But that's a good thing! It means we have lots of options to explore. The most important thing is to get started. After all, the best way to make free college a reality is to take the first step, no matter how small.

Whew! We've covered a lot of ground, haven't we? From the rising cost of college tuition to the debates and benefits, all the way to real-life examples and ways to make it happen—free college is a big topic! But when you connect all the dots, one thing becomes super clear: the time for free college is now.

Imagine a world where everybody has an equal shot at higher education. A world where your future isn't decided by the size of your bank account, but by your hard work, talent, and dreams. Sounds pretty great, right? And guess what? It's totally possible. Countries around the world are already doing it, and some places in the United States are giving it a shot, too.

And let's not forget the ripple effect of free college. It's not just good for students; it's good for everyone! From boosting the economy and leveling the social playing field to creating a smarter, healthier, and happier society—free college could be the key to solving a lot of our problems.

Of course, making college free won't be easy. There are challenges to face and questions to answer. How will we pay for it? How will it affect the quality of education? These are important questions, and we'll need smart, creative solutions to answer them. But the good news is, we've got options, lots of them!

Like any big journey, the road to free college starts with a single step. Maybe that step is talking to your friends and family about why it's a good idea. Or maybe it's writing to your local politicians to tell them why it's important. Whatever that first step is for you, now's the time to take it.

The idea of free college has been around for a while, but it's never been more important than it is today. With the cost of tuition soaring and the benefits clearer than ever, there's no reason to wait. So let's roll up our sleeves, put our heads together, and make free college a reality for everyone. Because the best investment we can make is in our future.

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Should College Be Free? The Pros and Cons

Types of Publicly Funded College Tuition Programs

Pros: why college should be free, cons: why college should not be free, what the free college debate means for students, how to cut your college costs now, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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Americans have been debating the wisdom of free college for decades, and more than 30 states now offer some type of free college program. But it wasn't until 2021 that a nationwide free college program came close to becoming reality, re-energizing a longstanding debate over whether or not free college is a good idea. 

And despite a setback for the free-college advocates, the idea is still in play. The Biden administration's free community college proposal was scrapped from the American Families Plan . But close observers say that similar proposals promoting free community college have drawn solid bipartisan support in the past. "Community colleges are one of the relatively few areas where there's support from both Republicans and Democrats," said Tulane economics professor Douglas N. Harris, who has previously consulted with the Biden administration on free college, in an interview with The Balance. 

To get a sense of the various arguments for and against free college, as well as the potential impacts on U.S. students and taxpayers, The Balance combed through studies investigating the design and implementation of publicly funded free tuition programs and spoke with several higher education policy experts. Here's what we learned about the current debate over free college in the U.S.—and more about how you can cut your college costs or even get free tuition through existing programs.

Key Takeaways

• Research shows free tuition programs encourage more students to attend college and increase graduation rates, which creates a better-educated workforce and higher-earning consumers who can help boost the economy. 
• Some programs are criticized for not paying students’ non-tuition expenses, not benefiting students who need assistance most, or steering students toward community college instead of four-year programs.  
• If you want to find out about free programs in your area, the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education has a searchable database. You’ll find the link further down in this article. 

Before diving into the weeds of the free college debate, it's important to note that not all free college programs are alike. Most publicly funded tuition assistance programs are restricted to the first two years of study, typically at community colleges. Free college programs also vary widely in the ways they’re designed, funded, and structured:

• Last-dollar tuition-free programs : These programs cover any remaining tuition after a student has used up other financial aid , such as Pell Grants. Most state-run free college programs fall into this category. However, these programs don’t typically help with room and board or other expenses.
• First-dollar tuition-free programs : These programs pay for students' tuition upfront, although they’re much rarer than last-dollar programs. Any remaining financial aid that a student receives can then be applied to other expenses, such as books and fees. The California College Promise Grant is a first-dollar program because it waives enrollment fees for eligible students.
• Debt-free programs : These programs pay for all of a student's college expenses , including room and board, guaranteeing that they can graduate debt-free. But they’re also much less common, likely due to their expense.  

Proponents often argue that publicly funded college tuition programs eventually pay for themselves, in part by giving students the tools they need to find better jobs and earn higher incomes than they would with a high school education. The anticipated economic impact, they suggest, should help ease concerns about the costs of public financing education. Here’s a closer look at the arguments for free college programs.

A More Educated Workforce Benefits the Economy

Morley Winograd, President of the Campaign for Free College Tuition, points to the economic and tax benefits that result from the higher wages of college grads. "For government, it means more revenue," said Winograd in an interview with The Balance—the more a person earns, the more they will likely pay in taxes . In addition, "the country's economy gets better because the more skilled the workforce this country has, the better [it’s] able to compete globally." Similarly, local economies benefit from a more highly educated, better-paid workforce because higher earners have more to spend. "That's how the economy grows," Winograd explained, “by increasing disposable income."

According to Harris, the return on a government’s investment in free college can be substantial. "The additional finding of our analysis was that these things seem to consistently pass a cost-benefit analysis," he said. "The benefits seem to be at least double the cost in the long run when we look at the increased college attainment and the earnings that go along with that, relative to the cost and the additional funding and resources that go into them." 

Free College Programs Encourage More Students to Attend

Convincing students from underprivileged backgrounds to take a chance on college can be a challenge, particularly when students are worried about overextending themselves financially. But free college programs tend to have more success in persuading students to consider going, said Winograd, in part because they address students' fears that they can't afford higher education . "People who wouldn't otherwise think that they could go to college, or who think the reason they can't is [that] it's too expensive, [will] stop, pay attention, listen, decide it's an opportunity they want to take advantage of, and enroll," he said.

According to Harris, students also appear to like the certainty and simplicity of the free college message. "They didn't want to have to worry that next year they were not going to have enough money to pay their tuition bill," he said. "They don't know what their finances are going to look like a few months down the road, let alone next year, and it takes a while to get a degree. So that matters." 

Free college programs can also help send "a clear and tangible message" to students and their families that a college education is attainable for them, said Michelle Dimino, an Education Director with Third Way. This kind of messaging is especially important to first-generation and low-income students, she said. 

Free College Increases Graduation Rates and Financial Security

Free tuition programs appear to improve students’ chances of completing college. For example, Harris noted that his research found a meaningful link between free college tuition and higher graduation rates. "What we found is that it did increase college graduation at the two-year college level, so more students graduated than otherwise would have." 

Free college tuition programs also give people a better shot at living a richer, more comfortable life, say advocates. "It's almost an economic necessity to have some college education," noted Winograd. Similar to the way a high school diploma was viewed as crucial in the 20th century, employees are now learning that they need at least two years of college to compete in a global, information-driven economy. "Free community college is a way of making that happen quickly, effectively, and essentially," he explained. 

Free community college isn’t a universally popular idea. While many critics point to the potential costs of funding such programs, others identify issues with the effectiveness and fairness of current attempts to cover students’ college tuition. Here’s a closer look at the concerns about free college programs.

It Would Be Too Expensive

The idea of free community college has come under particular fire from critics who worry about the cost of social spending. Since community colleges aren't nearly as expensive as four-year colleges—often costing thousands of dollars a year—critics argue that individuals can often cover their costs using other forms of financial aid . But, they point out, community college costs would quickly add up when paid for in bulk through a free college program: Biden’s proposed free college plan would have cost $49.6 billion in its first year, according to an analysis from Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Some opponents argue that the funds could be put to better use in other ways, particularly by helping students complete their degrees.

Free College Isn't Really Free

One of the most consistent concerns that people have voiced about free college programs is that they don’t go far enough. Even if a program offers free tuition, students will need to find a way to pay for other college-related expenses , such as books, room and board, transportation, high-speed internet, and, potentially, child care. "Messaging is such a key part of this," said Dimino. Students "may apply or enroll in college, understanding it's going to be free, but then face other unexpected charges along the way." 

It's important for policymakers to consider these factors when designing future free college programs. Otherwise, Dimino and other observers fear that students could potentially wind up worse off if they enroll and invest in attending college and then are forced to drop out due to financial pressures. 

Free College Programs Don’t Help the Students Who Need Them Most

Critics point out that many free college programs are limited by a variety of quirks and restrictions, which can unintentionally shut out deserving students or reward wealthier ones. Most state-funded free college programs are last-dollar programs, which don’t kick in until students have applied financial aid to their tuition. That means these programs offer less support to low-income students who qualify for need-based aid—and more support for higher-income students who don’t.

Community College May Not Be the Best Path for All Students

Some critics also worry that all students will be encouraged to attend community college when some would have been better off at a four-year institution. Four-year colleges tend to have more resources than community colleges and can therefore offer more support to high-need students. 

In addition, some research has shown that students at community colleges are less likely to be academically successful than students at four-year colleges, said Dimino. "Statistically, the data show that there are poorer outcomes for students at community colleges […] such as lower graduation rates and sometimes low transfer rates from two- to four-year schools." 

With Congress focused on other priorities, a nationwide free college program is unlikely to happen anytime soon. However, some states and municipalities offer free tuition programs, so students may be able to access some form of free college, depending on where they live. A good resource is the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education’s searchable database of Promise Programs , which lists more than 100 free community college programs, though the majority are limited to California residents.

In the meantime, school leaders and policymakers may shift their focus to other access and equity interventions for low-income students. For example, higher education experts Eileen Strempel and Stephen Handel published a book in 2021 titled "Beyond Free College: Making Higher Education Work for 21st Century Students." The book argues that policymakers should focus more strongly on college completion, not just college access. "There hasn't been enough laser-focus on how we actually get people to complete their degrees," noted Strempel in an interview with The Balance. 

Rather than just improving access for low-income college students, Strempel and Handel argue that decision-makers should instead look more closely at the social and economic issues that affect students , such as food and housing insecurity, child care, transportation, and personal technology. For example, "If you don't have a computer, you don't have access to your education anymore," said Strempel. "It's like today's pencil."

Saving money on college costs can be challenging, but you can take steps to reduce your cost of living. For example, if you're interested in a college but haven't yet enrolled, pay close attention to where it's located and how much residents typically pay for major expenses, such as housing, utilities, and food. If the college is located in a high-cost area, it could be tough to justify the living expenses you'll incur. Similarly, if you plan to commute, take the time to check gas or public transportation prices and calculate how much you'll likely have to spend per month to go to and from campus several times a week. 

Now that more colleges offer classes online, it may also be worth looking at lower-cost programs in areas that are farther from where you live, particularly if they allow you to graduate without setting foot on campus. Also, check out state and federal financial aid programs that can help you slim down your expenses, or, in some cases, pay for them completely. Finally, look into need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships that can help you cover even more of your expenses. Also, consider applying to no-loan colleges , which promise to help students graduate without going into debt.

Should community college be free?

It’s a big question with varying viewpoints. Supporters of free community college cite the economic contributions of a more educated workforce and the individual benefit of financial security, while critics caution against the potential expense and the inefficiency of last-dollar free college programs. 

What states offer free college?

More than 30 states offer some type of tuition-free college program, including Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington State. The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education lists over 100 last-dollar community college programs and 16 first-dollar community college programs, though the majority are limited to California residents.

Is there a free college?

There is no such thing as a truly free college education. But some colleges offer free tuition programs for students, and more than 30 states offer some type of tuition-free college program. In addition, students may also want to check out employer-based programs. A number of big employers now offer to pay for their employees' college tuition . Finally, some students may qualify for enough financial aid or scholarships to cover most of their college costs.

Scholarships360. " Which States Offer Tuition-Free Community College? "

The White House. “ Build Back Better Framework ,” see “Bringing Down Costs, Reducing Inflationary Pressures, and Strengthening the Middle Class.”

The White House. “ Fact Sheet: How the Build Back Better Plan Will Create a Better Future for Young Americans ,” see “Education and Workforce Opportunities.”

Coast Community College District. “ California College Promise Grant .”

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. “ The Dollars and Cents of Free College ,” see “Biden’s Free College Plan Would Pay for Itself Within 10 Years.”

Third Way. “ Why Free College Could Increase Inequality .”

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. “ The Dollars and Cents of Free College ,” see “Free-College Programs Have Different Effects on Race and Class Equity.”

University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. “ College Promise Programs: A Comprehensive Catalog of College Promise Programs in the United States .”

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7 Reasons Why College Should Be Free

By Eric Eng

The cost of higher education has skyrocketed in recent years, making college unaffordable for many aspiring students. In fact, numerous studies have shown that student loan debt is a pressing issue for millions of Americans, with many facing financial difficulties long after graduation. But what if college was free for everyone? In this article, we’ll explore 7 compelling reasons why college should be free, including economic benefits, social advantages, impacts on the job market, and long-term effects on individuals.

The Economic Benefits of Free College Education

Free college education has been a topic of debate for many years, with proponents arguing that it would have a significant impact on the economy. While some critics argue that it would be too expensive to implement, the potential benefits are numerous and far-reaching.

Reducing Student Loan Debt

The soaring cost of tuition fees has forced countless students to take out loans, which can sometimes take decades to repay. This burden of debt can be a major obstacle for graduates, preventing them from pursuing their dreams and achieving their full potential.

By eliminating tuition fees , free college education would make it possible for students to graduate without the burden of massive debt, freeing up funds that could be used for other purposes such as purchasing a home or starting a business. This, in turn, would stimulate economic growth and create new opportunities for individuals and communities.

Furthermore, reducing student loan debt would also have a positive impact on the overall economy. Graduates with significant debt are less likely to make major purchases such as homes and cars, which can slow down economic growth. By eliminating this burden, free college education would free up funds for graduates to invest in the economy, creating new jobs and opportunities for everyone.

Increasing Access to Higher Education

Here’s one of the reasons why college should be free. For many people, the high cost of college represents a major barrier to entry. This is particularly true for low-income students, who may be unable to attend college due to financial constraints.

Free college education would make it possible for students from all backgrounds to pursue higher education, regardless of their financial situation. This would benefit not only individual students but also society as a whole. A more educated population would lead to a more skilled and innovative workforce, which would in turn lead to economic growth and prosperity.

Furthermore, increasing access to higher education would also have a positive impact on social mobility. Students from low-income backgrounds often face significant barriers to achieving success in their careers. By providing a free college education, we would be leveling the playing field and giving everyone an equal opportunity to succeed.

Boosting the Economy Through a More Educated Workforce

Higher education is essential for creating a skilled workforce that can meet the needs of a rapidly changing economy. By providing free college education, we would be investing in the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs , which would in turn lead to economic growth and prosperity. A more educated workforce would be better equipped to meet the demands of the modern economy, which is increasingly focused on technology and innovation.

Furthermore, a free college education would also have a positive impact on the job market. As more students graduate with advanced degrees, there will be an increase in highly skilled workers, which will attract new businesses and industries to the area. This would create new jobs and opportunities for everyone, leading to economic growth and prosperity.

Overall, free college education has the potential to have a significant impact on the economy. By reducing student loan debt, increasing access to higher education, and boosting the economy through a more educated workforce, we can create new opportunities for individuals and communities. While there are certainly challenges to implementing such a program, the potential benefits are too great to ignore.

The Social Advantages of Free College

The idea of free college education has been a topic of debate for many years. While some argue that it is not feasible, others believe that it is a necessary step towards creating a more just and equitable society. Now that we have discussed the reasons why college should be free, we will now explore some of the social advantages of free college education.

Promoting Equality and Social Mobility

Higher education is often seen as a path to upward social mobility, allowing individuals to elevate themselves and their families out of poverty. However, the high cost of tuition fees has made this dream unattainable for many. By providing free college education, we would be promoting equality and creating a more just society.

When education is accessible to all, regardless of their financial background, it creates a level playing field. Students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds can now access the same opportunities as their more affluent peers. This not only promotes equality but also encourages social mobility, allowing individuals to break out of the cycle of poverty and create a better life for themselves and their families.

Encouraging Civic Engagement and Community Involvement

College campuses are often hotbeds of activism, where passionate and engaged students come together to discuss and advocate for issues that affect their communities. By making college education more accessible, we would be encouraging greater civic engagement and community involvement, which could lead to positive social change.

When students have access to higher education, they are more likely to engage with their communities and become active citizens. They are exposed to a diverse range of ideas and perspectives, which allows them to think critically about the world around them. This, in turn, can lead to greater civic engagement and community involvement, as students become more aware of the issues that affect their communities and are motivated to take action.

Reducing Crime Rates and Improving Public Safety

There is a well-established link between education and lower crime rates. Providing free college education would give more people the opportunity to improve their lives and their communities, which would in turn reduce crime rates and improve public safety for all.

When individuals have access to education, they are more likely to find meaningful employment and contribute positively to their communities. This reduces the likelihood of them turning to crime as a means of survival. Additionally, education provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and become responsible citizens. This, in turn, can lead to a safer and more secure society for all.

In conclusion, free college education has the potential to create a more just and equitable society, promote civic engagement and community involvement, and improve public safety. These pretty much sum up the reasons why college should be free. While there may be challenges in implementing such a system, the potential benefits are clear. It is up to us to work towards creating a society where education is accessible to all.

The Impact on the Job Market

Meeting the demand for skilled workers.

As the economy continues to evolve, demand for highly skilled workers is increasing exponentially. This is particularly evident in the fields of technology, healthcare, and finance, where the pace of change is rapid and the need for specialized knowledge is high. By providing free college education, we would be helping to fill this demand and create a workforce that is equipped to meet the needs of the 21st century.

For example, in the field of healthcare, there is a growing need for nurses , doctors, and other healthcare professionals who are trained to work with new technologies and treatments. By offering free college education, we could encourage more people to pursue careers in healthcare and help to address the shortage of skilled workers in this field.

Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Higher education has long been a breeding ground for innovation and entrepreneurship . By making college education more accessible, we would be encouraging more people to pursue their dreams and create new businesses and ideas that could change the world.

For instance, many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, such as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, were college graduates who used their education to launch groundbreaking companies. By providing free college education, we could help create a new generation of innovators who have the skills and knowledge they need to turn their ideas into reality.

Improving Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention

College education equips individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers. By providing free college education, we would be creating a more skilled and satisfied workforce, which would lead to lower turnover and higher overall employee retention rates.

Studies have shown that employees who feel that they are being invested in by their employers are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. By offering free college education, we could demonstrate our commitment to our employees and help create a culture of learning and growth within our organization.

Furthermore, providing free college education could help address some of the challenges that employers face in recruiting and retaining top talent. This is one of the most compelling reasons why college should be free. By offering education as a benefit, we could differentiate ourselves from other employers and attract candidates who are looking for opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The Long-term Effects on Individuals

Providing free college education has several long-term benefits for individuals. In addition to the benefits mentioned in the previous paragraphs, there are several other ways in which free college education can positively impact individuals.

Opening Up Opportunities for Career Advancement

Higher education provides individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers. With free college education, individuals would have access to a wider range of courses and programs, allowing them to explore new career paths and find the right fit for their skills and interests. This, in turn, could lead to increased job satisfaction and opportunities for career advancement.

Building Stronger Communities

Free college education can also have a positive impact on communities as a whole. By providing individuals with the tools they need to succeed, we are investing in the future of our communities. College graduates are more likely to be engaged in their communities, volunteer their time, and give back in meaningful ways.

Promoting Innovation and Progress

Higher education is a key driver of innovation and progress. By providing free college education, we are investing in the future of our society and promoting the development of new ideas and technologies. This, in turn, can lead to economic growth and increased prosperity for all.

In conclusion, free college education has numerous long-term benefits for individuals and society as a whole. By providing access to higher education, we are investing in the future and helping individuals reach their full potential. It is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come.

In conclusion, there are numerous compelling reasons why college should be free for everyone. From economic benefits to social advantages, impacts on the job market, and long-term effects on individuals, free college education has the potential to transform society for the better. It’s time for us to take action and make college education more accessible and affordable so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.

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15 Reasons Why College Should Be Free

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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This article will promote the argument that higher education should be available to everyone regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

The resource of university and college-level studies should be accessible to allow students to master topics they excel in, and ultimately, become more productive members of society.

The transition to a free college system will certainly be a challenge for society to undertake, but there are a number of reasons why college should be free.

Note that this article presents debate points that students can use for in-class debates so has an intentional bias – there are obvious debate points against this perspective as well, that I hope to outline in a future piece.

Reasons Why College Should Be Free

1. universal access to public education.

The first and most important reason that college should be a free resource that everyone can avail themselves of is that higher education is a right.

Historically, education has been used as a marker of class separation in society.

The same should not be true of the U.S., a country meant to be a bastion of equality. Equality means little if there’s no equality of opportunity, and there can be no equality of opportunity without equal access to education.

While there are currently resources in place to help students pay for college tuition, student loans can feel downright predatory and entirely discouraging to students who don’t want the average of $30,000 in debt when they enter the workforce.

Having universal access to public education would solve this problem in more ways than one. In fact, there’s quite the precedent for this success as well.

Schools that have opened up free elementary and middle school education are often correlated with a decrease in crime and an overall improved sense of wellbeing in their students.

This concept carries over to the universal access to college-level education and should be considered in the discussion.

2. Less Student Debt

On that same note, student debt is extremely high, about $30,000 per graduate, and can cripple budding adults who are just finding their place in the world and need to land a job with their degree, or risk being mired in debt for years—even decades.

That is an alarming prospect. Most families cannot afford college tuition outright, and making college free would be extremely helpful in reducing the overall student debt.

Student debt is a blight on American society—so much so that government initiatives and bills often promise to clear some student debt as a way of earning cheap political points over their opponents. This isn’t a healthy way to handle debt, especially given just how pervasive and widespread the student debt crisis is.

Over time, with a free education, student debt can be halved, and ultimately eradicated to allow society members to allocate more resources towards other major life expenses.

Finances are a significant part of life, and it’s fair to say that everyone could use an additional $30,000 in their pocket.

3. Better Education

Another important reason college should be free is that that all members of society can attain better education.

Those who are more educated are more capable of solving complex problems, whether it be in the fields of science, medicine, and technology.

Depriving the country of young, bright minds on the basis of cost is a detrimental approach in the long run. The more we invest in the education of the youth, the more effective the next generation will become in solving the problems that society faces.

To put it simply, learning should not be monetized, a principle which several other countries have recognized. Learning is a universal right and the detrimental effects of poorly educated citizenry are clear to see.

4. Economic Uplift

On average, college students rack up $30,000 in debt. Imagine an additional $30,000 by highly educated, intelligent students being pumped into a free market through investments like houses, business startups, and other ventures.

Even spending additional money on groceries and other products and services benefits a free market and provides a boost to the economy, rather than having it stagnate and exclusively go towards paying off debt.

Over time, this new influx of money into the market could help the economy to be less fragile and more robust in the long term.

5. Equality of Opportunity

One of the founding principles of liberal Western societies is supposed to be equality of opportunity. In other words, every member of society is, in principle, supposed to have the same opportunity to build themselves up; however, this has been a failing of society since college tuitions are so expensive.

Those who earn college degrees get higher-paying jobs.

Those who cannot get college degrees on the basis of expense do not have access to the same jobs, career advancement opportunities, or benefits offers for having a niche-specific, company-value skillset.

As such, until college becomes accessible for all, equal opportunity is not truly being espoused by college institutions.

6. A Stronger Workforce

In a similar vein, more widespread access to education allows students who excel to utilize their skills in different sectors of the workforce.

Whether it’s in business, technology, or finance, there’s a constant need for new young blood in the industry to keep it fresh; it’s just how the world works.

Providing universal access to education allows everyone to develop their skillset and, in time, strengthen the population to reflect a highly intelligent, skilled workforce.

7. Helps Students Focus on Studying

Finances are a major concern for many college students, so much so that they have to take on additional jobs and responsibilities besides their coursework to make ends meet and pay for the essentials.

Not only is this a stressful environment not conducive to learning, but it can also affect their performance.

Learning to live in the real world and deal with real-world expenses is one thing; it’s another entirely to expect students to excel while a $30,000 weight hangs over their head.

Removing this expense would reduce stress and vastly increase productivity.

8. Other Countries Demonstrate that it Works

One particularly compelling case for free college is that other countries have done it with great success.

These include:

The precedent of success in these countries that utilize free education should be inspiration enough to start making the shift sooner rather than later.

Making colleges for-profit institutions can muddy the true meaning of education, and these 5 countries that utilize free college education are a shining beacon of what higher education should look like.

9. Vocational Excellence

One particular important argument for free college is with regard to vocational skillsets.

As the world becomes more and more reliant on technology to grow businesses, analyze market trends, and solve problems, there’s an increasing need for a population with the skill to tackle these challenges.

College-educated young adults have the baseline skillset to tackle different vocational challenges in their field, helping to better society in the long run.

10. More Satisfaction

If colleges were free, everyone would have the same choice about whether to attend or not.

Those that want to carry their educational journey as far as they can do would be welcome to do so without needing to worry about cost.

That’s a remarkably satisfying prospect on its face: everyone can learn what they’re interested in and excel if they’re willing to put in the work.

Additional Arguments to Consider

• Helps a nation to compete globally: In a globalized and interconnected world, the countries that will succeed are the ones with the most educated population. If college is free, more students will get a higher education, leading to a more educated population.
• Upward social mobility : Free college education for the poor will help people to escape poverty and move up into the middle class.
• Removal of Financial Incentives: Often, higher education institutions are more interested in the financial incentive of “more bums on seats” than student grades. This leads to fudging of grades to help the institution climb the higher education league tables and other dodgy practices.
• Less expenses on advertising: In a competitive higher education marketplace, colleges are increasingly spending more and more money on advertising and marketing instead of putting students’ fees directly into their education.
• Builds an educated and open-minded population: My views and values personally changed significantly after leaving my insular hometown and going to university. It was the first time in my life that I met people from different life experiences to mine – the first time I met someone who was wealthy, the first time I met new immigrants, and the first time I met people who didn’t fit into my society’s dominant heteronormative framework all occurred when I was at university. The chance to meet and get to know these people personally made me a more open-minded person. The more people who get this chance, the better.

There are a number of compelling arguments, from the improved workforce to the equality of opportunity, that demand a free college experience for all. Transitioning from for-profit institutions to a societal boon with education for all isn’t an easy step, to be sure, but it is one that the United States can and should undertake for the betterment of its citizens.

Learning should be free for learning’s sake, as well as the sake of the millions of youth who want to expand their skillset and expertise. Free college isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s both idealistic and pragmatic, something that can and should be incorporated into society.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 101 Class Group Name Ideas (for School Students)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 19 Top Cognitive Psychology Theories (Explained)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 119 Bloom’s Taxonomy Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy)

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The Argument for Tuition-Free College

Soaring tuitions and student loan debt are placing higher education beyond the reach of many American students. It’s time to make college free and accessible to all.

by Keith Ellison

April 14, 2016

(Shutterstock)

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Land Grant College Act into law, laying the groundwork for the largest system of publicly funded universities in the world. Some of America's greatest colleges, including the University of Minnesota, were created by federal land grants, and were known as "democracy's colleges" or "people's colleges."

But that vision of a "people's college" seems awfully remote to a growing number of American students crushed under soaring tuitions and mounting debt. One hundred and fifty years after Lincoln made his pledge, it's time to make public colleges and universities free for every American.

This idea is easier than it looks. For most of our nation's history, public colleges and universities have been much more affordable than they are today, with lower tuition, and financial aid that covered a much larger portion of the costs . The first step in making college accessible again, and returning to an education system that serves every American, is addressing the student loan debt crisis.

The cost of attending a four-year college has increased by 1,122 percent since 1978 . Galloping tuition hikes have made attending college more expensive today than at any point in U.S. history. At the same time, debt from student loans has become the largest form of personal debt in America-bigger than credit card debt and auto loans. Last year, 38 million American students owed more than $1.3 trillion in student loans.

Once, a degree used to mean a brighter future for college graduates, access to the middle class, and economic stability.

Today, student loan debt increases inequality and makes it harder for low-income graduates, particularly those of color , to buy a house, open a business, and start a family.

The solution lies in federal investments to states to lower the overall cost of public colleges and universities. In exchange, states would commit to reinvesting state funds in higher education. Any public college or university that benefited from the reinvestment program would be required to limit tuition increases. This federal-state partnership would help lower tuition for all students. Schools that lowered tuition would receive additional federal grants based on the degree to which costs are lowered.

Reinvesting in higher education programs like Pell Grants and work-study would ensure that Pell and other forms of financial aid that students don't need to pay back would cover a greater portion of tuition costs for low-income students. In addition, states that participate in this partnership would ensure that low-income students who attend state colleges and universities could afford non-tuition expenses like textbooks and housing fees . This proposal is one way to ensure that no student graduates with loans to pay back.

If the nation can provide hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies to the oil and gas industry and billions of dollars more to Wall Street , we can afford to pay for public higher education. A tax on financial transactions like derivatives and stock trades would cover the cost. Building a truly affordable higher education system is an investment that would pay off economically.

Eliminating student loan debt is the first step, but it's not the last. Once we ensure that student loan debt isn't a barrier to going to college, we should reframe how we think about higher education. College shouldn't just be debt free-it should be free. Period.

We all help pay for our local high schools and kindergartens, whether or not we send our kids to them. And all parents have the option of choosing public schools, even if they can afford private institutions. Free primary and secondary schooling is good for our economy, strengthens our democracy, and most importantly, is critical for our children's health and future. Educating our kids is one of our community's most important responsibilities, and it's a right that every one of us enjoys. So why not extend public schooling to higher education as well?

Some might object that average Americans should not have to pay for students from wealthy families to go to school. But certain things should be guaranteed to all Americans, poor or rich. It's not a coincidence that some of the most important social programs in our government's history have applied to all citizens, and not just to those struggling to make ends meet.

Universal programs are usually stronger and more stable over the long term, and they're less frequently targeted by budget cuts and partisan attacks. Public schools have stood the test of time-let's make sure public colleges and universities do, too.

The United States has long been committed to educating all its people, not only its elites.

This country is also the wealthiest in the history of the world. We can afford to make college an option for every American family.

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Is free college a good idea? Increasingly, evidence says yes

Subscribe to the brown center on education policy newsletter, douglas n. harris douglas n. harris nonresident senior fellow - governance studies , brown center on education policy , professor and chair, department of economics - tulane university @douglasharris99.

May 10, 2021

• 10 min read

In just a few short years, the idea of free college has moved from a radical idea to mainstream Democratic thinking. President Biden made free college one of his core campaign planks , and one that the first lady has been promoting for years. In his recent address to Congress, the president also signaled that he is ready for legislative action on a scaled-back version of the idea as part of his American Families Plan .

Two weeks ago, the nonprofit College Promise (CP)—led by Martha Kanter, who served as President Obama’s undersecretary for education—also released a proposal that will influence the free college debate. (Full disclosure: I previously advised the Biden campaign and presently advise CP, but have received no compensation for these efforts.)

In today’s polarized environment, the free college idea stands out for its bipartisan support. A majority of self-identified Republicans has supported the notion of free college in some polls. In fact, one of the first such statewide programs was put in place by Bill Haslam, the former Republican governor of Tennessee. While this could go the way of Obamacare, which faced strong GOP congressional opposition despite the law’s origins with Republican Mitt Romney, free college seems different. Biden’s latest plan only applies to community colleges, which focus on career and vocational education of the sort Republicans support, as opposed to universities, which many Republicans view as hostile battlegrounds in a culture war.

But I am less interested in the politics than the evidence of effectiveness. I have studied college access for many years and run two randomized control trials of financial aid , which produced some of the first causal evidence on free college in Milwaukee. Two years ago, Brookings released the first installment of the Milwaukee work, which I carried out with a team of researchers. Since then, we have collected more data and learned more about how students responded over time. Below, I summarize our just-released study (co-authored with Jonathan Mills), compare our results to other financial aid programs, and then discuss implications for the Biden and CP proposals. Consequently, I conclude that the evidence increasingly favors free college and “open access aid” more generally.

What Did We Learn in Milwaukee?

I developed The Degree Project (TDP) in 2009 as a demonstration program in partnership between the nonprofit Ascendium (then known as the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates) and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). TDP offered all first-time 9 th graders in half of MPS high schools $12,000 for college as “last-dollar” aid. Students could use the funds for college if they graduated from high school on time with a GPA of 2.5 and a class attendance rate of 90%. Also, as is the norm with free college programs, students had to fill out the FAFSA and have at least one dollar of unmet need. The aid could be used to attend any of the 66 public, in-state, two- or four-year colleges in Wisconsin. Ascendium provided up to $31 million to fund the grant and, as the main program administrator, sent regular letters to remind students about the program and its requirements. The organization also worked with school counselors to support students becoming eligible for the funds and preparing for college.

TDP was announced to students in the fall of 2011. Using anonymized data, we then tracked students’ high school, college, and life outcomes for eight years, and we recently received data extending through when students were roughly 22 years old. As a rare randomized trial, we could estimate the effects by comparing the control and treatment group outcomes. Here is what we found:

• For students who met the performance requirements, the program increased graduation from two-year colleges by 3 percentage points . This might seem small, but the denominator here is comprised of low-income 9 th graders. Half of the control group did not even graduate from high school, let alone college. The effect amounts to a 25% increase in two-year degrees.
• The framing and design of the program as free two-year college changed student decisions in ways consistent with what free college advocates suggest. The $12,000 maximum award amount was selected because it was sufficient to cover tuition and fees for a two-year college degree. The fact that TDP made two-year college free, but only reduced the cost of four-year college, was clearly communicated to students. This appears to explain one of our main results: Student enrollments shifted from four-year to two-year colleges. This is noteworthy given that students could use the funds at either two- or four-year colleges. In fact, students likely would have been able to use more of the $12,000 if they had shifted to four-year colleges. The only plausible reason for shifting to two-year colleges is that they were really attracted to the idea of free college.
• The “early commitment” nature of the program had some modest positive effects on some high school outcomes . Students learned about TDP in their 9 th grade year, giving them time to change their high school behaviors and college plans. Although it did not improve high school academic achievement, we find that TDP increased college expectations and the steps students took to prepare for college. TDP recipients also reported working harder because of the program (even though this did not show up in the academic measures). This highlights the fact that free college might also help address not only college-going rates, but the long-term stagnancy in high school outcomes.
• The merit requirements undermined the program’s effectiveness . Though the 2.5 GPA and 90% attendance and other requirements were arguably modest, only 21% of eligible students ended up meeting them. So, they ended up excluding many students. We also tested the two main ways that the merit requirements could have been helpful: (a) merit requirements might provide incentives for students to work hard during high school and better prepare for college, and (b) merit requirements might target aid to students who respond to it most. We find no evidence of either benefit. While students did work harder (see point [3] above), this appears to be due to other elements of the program, not the merit requirements.

Overall, these results suggest that aid is most effective when it is “open access”—that is, aid with early commitment and free college framing, but no merit requirements.

What about the evidence beyond Milwaukee?

Our study also reviews other research on financial aid, including federal aid, state merit aid programs, and the newer “promise scholarship” programs that mimic free college. Our study is not alone in finding that financial aid improves student outcomes. In fact, the vast majority of the most rigorous studies find positive effects on college attendance and college graduation. Given the strong average benefits of college, we can expect follow-up studies to show effects on employment earnings, voting, and other outcomes.

What about the costs? Open access aid is more expensive to be sure. More students receive aid and the aid levels per students are larger than traditional financial aid. Is it worth it? Our analysis suggests it is. We carried out new cost-benefit analyses of multiple programs, including TDP, but also other actively studied programs in: Kalamazoo, Michigan; Knox County, Tennessee; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and one statewide program in Nebraska. We also used estimates of the average effects of aid taken from prior literature reviews. All of these programs pass a cost-benefit test. That is, the effects on college outcomes, and the effects of college outcomes on future earnings, is much larger than the cost to the government and society as a whole. Moreover, it appears that benefits-per-dollar-of-cost are at least as high with open access aid as with more restricted programs. This means that open access aid provides greater total benefits to the community as a whole.

Back to the Free College Proposals

What do these results mean for President Biden’s and CP’s proposals? The table below provides a side-by-side comparison. The main difference is the level of detail. This reflects that the CP plan was designed to align with, and flesh out, the Biden campaign proposal. Perhaps the only substantive difference is that the CP proposal (and the Milwaukee program) includes private colleges. The Biden campaign documents exclude private colleges, though the American Families Plan just says “free community college,” signaling alignment with the CP plan. Both proposals are clearly in the category of open access aid.

There are numerous similarities between these provisions and the Milwaukee program that my team and I studied. All three programs make two-year college free (or nearly so) for all students without income requirements and through early commitment of aid. All three require the FAFSA and high school graduation. Importantly, unlike both the Biden and CP proposals, the Milwaukee program had merit requirements, which undermined its success. This is partly why our evidence is so relevant to the current debate.

Some might wonder why the president has scaled back the proposal to just free community college. This reflects that the idea of free college—even the “scaled back” version—is such a marked departure from past policy, especially at the federal level. Free community college alone would still be arguably the largest shift in federal higher education policy in the past half-century.

Caveats and Concluding Thoughts

We cannot make policy from evidence alone, but it can and should play a key role. Sometimes, policy ideas have such limited evidence of effectiveness that it is difficult to make any plausible case for a large-scale, national program. In other cases, there is enough promise for pilot studies and competitive grants to establish efficacy. With free college, we seem to be well beyond that point. In addition to decades of results on general financial aid programs, we have a growing number of studies on state and local programs that all show positive evidence—the “laboratory of democracy” at work. The idea of a large, federal free-college program therefore has more and more credibility.

A decade ago, it was not at all obvious that this is what the evidence would show. There was really no evidence on free college programs when we started this project back in 2009. Also, there were good reasons to expect that such a large increase in aid would suffer from “diminishing returns”—the idea that the next dollar is less effective than the previous one. This could have made free college more costly than the benefits could justify. Now, we know better.

I do still worry a bit about other factors and challenges. For example, the above analyses can only capture the immediate effects of financial aid, yet a federal free college program is such a marked departure in policy that it could alter political and market forces operating on higher education in unpredictable ways, perhaps even lowering college spending and quality. Also, if the proposal remains focused on community colleges, then this will shift students out of four-year colleges and into colleges that currently have very low completion rates. There are also other ways to increase college affordability and access that do not require free college (e.g., increased Pell Grants and income-based loan repayment), some of which target funds more narrowly to the most disadvantaged students. And there are many details to be worked out as the president’s allies in Congress try to generate sufficient support without (a) sacrificing core principles, or (b) creating new problems that can arise when grafting new federal programs on to widely varying state contexts.

Still, it is not often that an idea comes around that addresses a widely acknowledged problem and has both research support and a fair degree of bipartisan political support. The stars seem aligned to make some form of national free college a reality. The more evidence we see, the more that would seem to be a step forward.

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College Should Be Free Persuasive Essay Example

Did you know that around 43.2 Million people suffer from College Debt, and all of that amount together comes up to over 1.59 Trillion? It has been highly debated for many years whether college students shouldn't have to pay to go to school in the United States and many Bills have been introduced to initiate Colleges going free. College Tuition should be free. Free college would reduce student debt, providing free college tuition gives an opportunity for everyone to go to college, and the economy and society would benefit from tuition free colleges.   

College should be Free because then the people who go won't have to pay off their college debt for the next couple of decades.“Student loan debt significantly impacts one's ability to purchase a home. When Equifax asked in 2015 millennial renters why they did not buy a home, 55.7% of respondents listed “student loan debt/not enough money saved” as the top reason.” (Williams, 1). This text states that the college debt is holding them back from the important things like, buying a house and keeping up their rent because they just aren’t able to afford or keep up the money while dealing with college debt. “When students graduate with debt, they will likely continue to add to their debt with interest. As such, it can take many years before they manage to dig themselves out of debt that only seems to keep growing. In the meantime, this delays spending on such things as buying a house or a car.”  (www.uopeople.edu, 1) This quote shows that even after they graduate, they are stuck with these hard bills to pay off that only increase when they don't have the money to pay them which puts off important things and stuff they need to survive like, rent and food their focus is stuck on getting rid of this large amount of debt they have accumulated.So not only will we save Americans from a lifetime of debt, there are many other benefits as well. 

College Tuition should be free because it provides everyone with an equal opportunity to receive a good college education. “Free college tuition programs have proved effective in helping mitigate the system’s current inequities by increasing college enrollment, lowering dependence on student loan debt, and improving completion rates, especially among students of color and lower-income students who are often the first in their family to attend college.” (Winograd, Lubin, 1)  From what this quote states it is said that without college tuition not only do the everyday people who have been going can keep going but would show more people of color and people who come from low income and less fortunate families are able to go which leaves them with better education and better opportunities for their future. It also states that more students are graduating from college because they now have had the opportunity to go. “Students—including many older students juggling work and family responsibilities—recognize that higher education is a key to opportunity, and that has fueled a substantial increase in college enrollment rates in recent years. But unfortunately, for millions of other students, our higher education system isn't delivering what they need, or deserve. In part because of the rising costs of college, too many students are unable to enroll or complete high-quality degrees.” (www.ed.gov, 1) This is basically saying that costs are rising, and many people in America use college as their opportunity and maybe their only opportunity to not have to struggle with money and can get the job they need to support themselves and their families, but it's becoming increasingly harder because of the ever so costly college tuition rates. since everyone would have an equal chance at a college education they can get better jobs and will be less of a burden on society and the government, leading to less government programs and homelessness

Free College would benefit the Economy and Society. “the U.S. economy will have a shortfall of 5 million college-educated workers by 2020. This gap is unsurprising. By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require bachelor’s or associate’s degrees or some other education beyond high school, particularly in the fastest growing occupations—science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health care, and community service.” (Bergeron, Martin, 1) It is explained in this quote that some jobs that need a higher education than just high school are becoming so needed that people being able to have the chance to get them would really boost the economy. “By nearly any measure, college graduates outperform their peers who have only completed their high school degree. For example, the average graduate is 24 percent more likely to be employed and average earnings among graduates are $32,000 higher annually and $1 million higher over a lifetime.” (aplu.org, 1) This quote gives light to the fact that with a better education and job opportunities, we can all make more money and be able to support ourselves and society.  On the other hand some claim that while helping society we still need to find the money to pay the costs associated with college and universities. 

Free College is a bad idea because the money still has to come from somewhere. “The estimated cost of Bernie Sanders’s free college program is $47 billion per year and has states paying 33% of the cost, or $15.5 billion. [25] According to David H. Feldman, Ph.D., and Robert B. Archibald, Ph.D., both Professors of Economics at William & Mary College, “This will require tax increases, or it will force states to move existing resources into higher education and away from other state priorities like health care, prisons, roads, and K-12 education.” Part of their concerns are not valid because many of those services are funded via the state's homeowners who pay their property taxes. “Free college is free for the student, but the money to cover the cost must come from somewhere. As mentioned earlier, this money could come from the defense budget, which is fine until there is a war, and the U.S. needs this money. It would also come from taxes, which means that Americans would be forced to pay more so that college can be free.” Another point made was that part of the US defense budget would be used, in fact the bill was presented to potentially use this budget in 2017 and was never seen to pass. 

I believe that the larger significance of having college free and getting rid of tuition would greatly benefit American society, It will give financially disadvantaged students a chance to move up the social ladder and afford them the same opportunities that their more financially fortunate peers are given, This will give a chance for everyone to be truly equal in society and gives chances to those who need to support themselves and their families. The takeaway for the readers is seeing the benefit this would have to society as a whole and they should start to support free college tuition in America.  

https://edsource.org/2020/tuition-free-college-is-critical-to-our-economy/641232

aplu.org/projects-and-initiatives/college-costs-tuition-and-financial-aid/publicuvalues/societal-benefits.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesleywhistle/2021/03/30/the-impact-of-free-community-college/?sh=c8c11d54bdfe

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/strengthening-our-economy-through-college-for-all/

https://theintercept.com/2017/09/18/the-senates-military-spending-increase-alone-is-enough-to-make-public-college-free/

https://www.ablison.com/important-pros-and-cons-of-free-education/

https://www.procon.org/headlines/free-college-top-3-pros-and-cons/

https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/affordability-college-cost/pros-cons-tuition-free-college/

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/100515/10-ways-student-debt-can-destroy-your-life.asp.

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Topic: Should a college or university education be tuition free essay

College tuition fees have been on the rise in the last couple of years. Now many jobs require a college degree which makes it hard for those without higher education. The higher somebody goes in their education the easier it is to get almost any job they want. College education has become a necessity in today’s society and rising tuition fees are putting a college education out of reach for some students. The first two years of college should be provided and funded by the U.S. government because it will encourage students to achieve their college education without looking at college as such a financial obstacle.

Today the cost of attending a public university or community college is so high that most students simply cannot afford it. As a result, the federal government continues to offer financial aid and Pell grants to lower-income families. Student loans are also available and are known as the most dominant source of financial aid. “During the 2012-2013 school year alone, about 10 million college students took out loans and in 2015, the total amount of student loan debt in America was estimated to be about $1.3 trillion.” This just goes to show that even though some students are getting financial aid help to go to school, there is always a fee to pay out of pocket.

Should College be free Essay

Today’s society more and more jobs are requiring specific technical requirements or a college degree. Free college would expand higher educational benefits such as jobs and higher pay as opposed to those with little to no college background. Recovery magazine believes “By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the economy will require post-secondary education and training beyond high school.” (Carnavale, Smith, Strohl. pg 3) free college tuition will give so many students an equal opportunity to achieve their goals no matter if it’s just an associates degree or a doctoral degree. Achieving a college degree can not only be a life long achievement but can better their future and open doors to better job opportunities.

Of course, not everyone agrees with free college. Some argue that calling something free doesn’t make it free. Public education is funded by taxpayers and free college means higher taxes. With college tuition being so-called “free” it will attract students who are unfit for the college environment and will eventually drop out which means taxes will go up for taxpayers whether they have kids attending college or not. Some agree that college should not be free since some students will be unmotivated, lazy or unconcerned about their education. Students who are going to college are going to get their profession and will eventually be able to pay off their student debts. General taxpayers believe if a student’s desire is to attend college, then they will do whatever it takes to receive financial aid assistance. With college not being free, this is no way means students can’t receive financial aid help such as scholarships, federal Pell grand or even student loans. Overall it is important to make students understand their responsibilities in life and its wrong to place the burden of paying for their free education on the general population.

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25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

June 24, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered what other people write about in their college application essays, you’re not alone. Just as reading a range of novels can expose you to unique takes on similar themes, seeing others’ college essay topic ideas can open you up to new possibilities, spark creativity, and enhance your brainstorming process. Since we read hundreds of essays per year, we wanted to round up a collection of past topics from actual students to inspire your essay-writing endeavors. Moreover, we’ve paired those topics with targeted brainstorming questions that will set you off on your own path to success. Ready? Let’s dive in.

How do I find the right college essay topic ideas?

Like a well-hidden geocache , the right college essay topic ideas can only be uncovered with some effort. In general, the right college essay topic:

• is interesting and/or exciting to you
• demonstrates a quality, value, or perspective that can’t be found elsewhere on your application

While deciding, focus on asking yourself the right types of questions. For example, let’s say you’re down to two topics: a moral/ethical dilemma you recently faced, or the nonprofit you started last year. In this scenario, most students may assume they *should* write about the nonprofit–after all, it’s the more “impressive” of the two, right?

However, let’s divorce ourselves from “should.” Instead, ask yourself: if I write this essay, what will admissions officers learn about me that they can’t learn about elsewhere? Through starting this nonprofit, what have I learned about myself? Can I show my reader what I value, or how I handle problems? Or will I basically be re-hashing what is already in my activities list or honors section ?

Alternatively, the ethical/moral dilemma you recently faced completely threw you for a loop. It made you rethink a closely held belief and forced you to confront how you handle challenging situations.

Ask yourself: what will admissions officers learn about me that they can’t learn about elsewhere? What have I learned about myself? Can I handle this subject tactfully—without complaining, blaming others, or coming to a conclusion that feels forced/too neat? Can I be vulnerable?

Be honest with yourself, and a clear winner will emerge.

How do I find “unique” college essay topic ideas?

Every year, our students wonder how to ensure that their essay stands out, often asking us questions along these lines:

How do I make sure that my essay topic is different from everyone else’s?

If I write about my sports injury, will it sound like every other sports essay?

If I write about my parent’s illness, will that be just another sob story?

We get it—it’s natural and normal to be curious about what admissions officers want to hear, or wonder whether particular college essay topic ideas will strengthen your application more than others. While there is some strategy involved with topic selection, the way you write about and reflect on any given topic is usually much more important than the topic itself.

To that end, college essay topics/themes we see on a regular basis include:

• Coming-of-age, most often a realization that changed their perspective or inspired personal growth
• A challenging situation or moral dilemma
• A passion or intellectual curiosity
• A meaningful aspect of their family/identity/cultural background
• An important community

We see these topics frequently because they are universal to the teenage experience. This does not make them bad or mean you should avoid them. On the contrary, it makes them classic, timeless, and relatable (remember, you’re trying to create a personal connection with your reader!).

Accordingly, use the above college essay topics/themes as a way to start collecting ideas for your own personal statement, and know you are in very good company if you write an essay on one of them.

Bottom line: you make a college essay topic “unique” by writing about yourself, in your own style and voice, with plenty of detail and specifics. You share what you learned and how you grew. That’s it!

Where can I find examples of college essay topic ideas?

Sometimes, you just need a list of examples. Let’s go back to our geocaching reference above. What the heck is a geocache, anyway? What will you find inside one? Do people use certain types of containers? Perusing a few examples will help you build an idea of what to expect when you go exploring. Okay, I could be looking for anything from Tupperware containers to film canisters…or fake rocks…what?!

Accordingly, in providing you with this list of college essay topic ideas, we want to validate and inspire you. These are real college essay topics developed by real college applicants, so it’s very likely you can connect or identify with at least a few of them. If a topic resonates with or sounds interesting to you, try writing down some thoughts on the associated brainstorming question and see where it takes you.

Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

• Central Story : A parent’s struggle with addiction, and the author’s struggle to cope with the changes happening at home
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author found themselves again—and learned to cope—by leaning into activities that they loved
• Brainstorming Question : Has your parent or guardian ever faced a significant health problem, such as a chronic illness, terminal diagnosis, or addiction? How did it impact you?
• Central Story : After volunteering at a homeless shelter for years, the author realized he had been avoiding personal connection with the men he served meals to
• Reflection/Resolution : Prioritizing connection, even if uncomfortable, and finding new, tangible ways to understand and assist this population
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever had a perspective-changing volunteer opportunity? If so, what was your perspective before you started, and what is it now?

College Essay Topic Ideas — Continued

• Central Story : Navigating interactions with customers at a part-time job
• Reflection/Resolution : Finding ways to connect with and appreciate patrons, and understand how important her job was
• Brainstorming Question : Do you work in a customer service role? What have been your most memorable interactions, positive or negative? How have they impacted you?
• Central Story : After years of being a competitive ballet dancer and having aspirations to dance in college, the author is struck with the realization that she does not actually want to be a professional ballerina
• Reflection/Resolution : Coming to terms with her decision, and embracing who she is without ballet
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever had a college-related or professional goal that changed? Why did it change, and how did you deal with it?
• Central Story : How a difficult incident during a baseball game changed the author’s relationship with the sport, and pushed him toward new realizations about his future
• Reflection/Resolution : Embracing his own power to make a difference by immersing himself in research, and discovering new fields that he is interested in pursuing in college
• Brainstorming Question : Has a particular situation ever shocked or deeply upset you? What realizations did you have about yourself? About others?
• Central Story : The author’s fiction writing journey and realization that women of color are underrepresented or presented as one-note in most literature
• Reflection/Resolution : The author’s commitment to crafting characters that not only represented her but reflected her values and beliefs, and creating a writing community in the process
• Brainstorming Question : Do you have a hobby or passion that you could spend hours a day/week engaging in? How did you get started, and what experiences have been most special/important to you?
• Central Story : How a strategy-based board game gave the author the skills needed to take a volunteer opportunity to the next level
• Reflection/Resolution : What the author learned about himself in the process, and the importance of being open to what all types of experiences can teach you
• Brainstorming Question : What’s your go-to “fun” activity? What (perhaps surprising) skills have you learned from it? Have you been able to apply them in other areas of your life?
• Central Story : The author’s intensive preparation for synchronized swim team tryouts
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author dealt with the disappointment of not making the team, and learned important lessons about failure and resilience
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever tried—and failed—at something that took weeks, months, or even years to prepare for? What was that like? How did you cope, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
• Central Story : The author’s longing for a stable community after experiencing a housing crisis
• Reflection/Resolution : How volunteering at a local nonprofit committed to building homes helped him find the community he was searching for, and inspired his future career path
• Brainstorming Question : What activity is most meaningful to you? How is it enabled you to make an impact on others? How has it impacted you personally?
• Central Story : The author’s first encounter with coral bleaching, and ensuing environmental activism
• Reflection/Resolution : How he found balance between activism and his personal life so that he could bring his best self to every project
• Brainstorming Question : Do you participate in any activities that feel consuming on multiple levels? How do you find balance? Has that been a difficult journey?
• Central Story : The author’s love of connecting with friends and family through baking, even when the time commitment involved became difficult to navigate
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author learned to juggle multiple types of commitments, leading to increased joy and intention
• Brainstorming Question : What personal hobbies are most meaningful to you, and why? Have you ever struggled to find time for your favorite hobby amidst other obligations? How did you navigate that?
• Central Story : How the author struggled with coming out
• Reflection/Resolution : How joining a supportive LGBTQ community helped the author make peace with her identity, and also begin helping others who may be struggling with their identity
• Brainstorming Question : Is there an aspect of your sexual or cultural identity that you’ve struggled to accept? What has that journey been like for you? What actions have you taken along the way, and what have you learned about yourself in the process?
• Central Story : The author’s determination to help other students feel less isolated and more involved at school, which stemmed from his own early experiences as an immigrant
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author implemented actual changes that resulted in more connection, school spirit, and personal fulfillment
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever tried to solve a particular issue in your community? What issue did you try to solve, and why? What steps did you take to solve it, and what was the outcome?
• Central Story : How the author’s early love of Spanish led to learning additional languages
• Reflection/Resolution : How learning languages has allowed for deeper cultural exploration and appreciation, along with an exploration of the author’s own personal history and goal to pursue linguistics in college
• Brainstorming Question : Do you already know what you want to pursue in college? How did you come to that conclusion, and what experiences have informed or influenced it along the way?
• Central Story : How the author’s perfectionism often caused her to avoid trying new things, which she realized after a massive project went sideways
• Reflection/Resolution : The author began trying new activities outside her comfort zone that introduced her to new interests and inspired further exploration
• Brainstorming Question : Do you ever feel like you hold yourself back? In what ways? How have you tried to overcome those hurdles?
• Central Story : The author’s lifelong interest in his favorite animal
• Reflection/Resolution : What attributes of this animal the author is most fascinated by, how those attributes connect to his own life/experiences, and what he’s learned about himself in the process
• Brainstorming Question : What are your “favorites”—favorite color, favorite animal, favorite song, favorite movie, favorite place, etc? Why are they your favorite? What can your “favorites” tell us about you?
• Central Story : How the author’s boredom with piano stemmed from always following sheet music strictly as written
• Reflection/Resolution : How learning a new musical term—and experimenting with it—enabled the author to find the joy in music again
• Brainstorming Question : Have you participated in any activities that lost their appeal at some point? How did you react, and what was the outcome?
• Central Story : The author’s love for a certain childhood craft
• Reflection/Resolution : How rekindling her love for this craft led to a fascination with repetition and patterns that ultimately inspired her college major
• Brainstorming Question : As a child, what activities did you love most? Do you still engage in any of them? If so, why are they so important to you?
• Central Story : The toxic environment within the author’s first school play, which made her start to lose her passion for music
• Reflection/Resolution : How quitting theater and investing her energy in different, more supportive activities allowed her to reclaim her love of singing
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever quit an important sport, club, or other activity? What led to that decision, and how did you move forward?
• Central Story : How the author’s love of fashion—and its history—led to a particularly optimistic sewing project
• Reflection/Resolution : How the process of trial and error during her project—as well as her continued work on it—represents her resilience, passion, and love of learning
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever undertaken a project that didn’t go according to plan? What ups and downs did you encounter, and how did you navigate them?
• Central Story : How the author confronted her perception of entrepreneurship as well as her own role within her company
• Reflection/Resolution : How asking difficult questions, conducting research, and being willing to pivot led the author to adjust her mindset and personal philosophy
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever realized that you might need to adjust a previously held belief or perspective? How did you come to that conclusion, and what did you do about it?
• Central Story : The author’s reluctance and nervousness to return to India, where she spent her childhood
• Reflection/Resolution : How reconnecting with her culture, especially its literature, led her to embrace herself more fully and even helped inform her future career path
• Brainstorming Question : Do you ever feel torn between two different worlds or cultural identities? How have you navigated and/or tried to come to terms with that?
• Central Story : How the author’s self-doubt and fear began to negatively impact her sports performance
• Reflection/Resolution : How a teammate’s influence enabled the author to start trusting herself, leading to increased self-confidence and new levels of risk-taking
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever dealt with an ongoing struggle that started to take over your life? What enabled you to start adopting a healthier outlook?
• Central Story : The author’s realization that her method of communication in leadership roles may be hindering, rather than helping, progress
• Reflection/Resolution : How adjusting her communication methods, focusing on collaboration, and readjusting her perspective led to a new definition of personal and professional success
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever realized that your way of doing things may be negatively impacting a particular group or team? If so, what did you do about it?
• Central Story : An ethical dilemma that the author experienced while serving on her school paper
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author arrived at her decision, and what she learned about her own decision-making process
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever been confronted with a moral or ethical dilemma? If so, how did you arrive at a decision? Do you regret or stand behind that decision—why or why not?

Final Thoughts — College Essay Topics

After identifying an interesting and personally significant essay topic, you’ll want to focus on further brainstorming as well as execution. Not sure what to do next? College Transitions’ highly skilled essay coaches can help— click here to see available packages or schedule a free consultation.

Additional resources you may find useful:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Start a College Essay
• How to End a College Essay
• Best College Essay Help
• College Essay

Kelsea Conlin

Kelsea holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Tufts University, a graduate certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her short fiction is forthcoming in Chautauqua .

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Should College Be Free?

With ross douthat, michelle goldberg and david leonhardt, and why are birthrates dropping.

I’m Michelle Goldberg.

I’m Ross Douthat.

I’m David Leonhardt. And this is “The Argument.” This week, should college be free?

The American college system is considered by a lot of people to be better than the college systems in Western Europe. And one reason it’s better is that it induces parents to part with their money.

Then, where have all the baby’s gone?

Women feel like men have not caught up. They have not been able to find men who have really kept pace and necessarily share their views of what a more egalitarian relationship would look like.

And finally, a recommendation.

I was just so rapt by this movie. And I was also sort of astonished that it got made at all. And I see that as an optimistic sign of where the culture is.

The cost of college is a big burden for many people. And it’s become a hot political topic as well. The big question in progressive policy circles is whether public college should be free, paid for with taxes rather than tuition payments and loans from students and their families. Pete Buttigieg has sharpened the debate in recent weeks by running an ad criticizing the idea of free college, saying it’s too much of a handout to the wealthy.

I believe we should move to make college affordable for everybody. There are some voices saying, well, that doesn’t count unless you go even further, unless it’s free even for the kids of millionaires. But I only want to make promises that we can keep.

Buttigieg favors free college for lower and middle income families. Bernie Sanders, on the other hand, prefers free public college for everyone. It’s a classic debate between universal and targeted social programs. And it’s fascinating both in its own right and as a symbol of the larger left versus center debate in the Democratic primary. Michelle, I’m mostly with Mayor Pete on this one. Free college for everyone just doesn’t seem to me like a good use of resources. And it also seems to bother a lot of swing voters. So I don’t think it’s worth the political cost. But I’m really interested in what you’ve thought about this whole debate.

Well, David, I mean, you don’t think that kind of millionaires and billionaires are going to start sending their kids to public college if it’s free, right? I mean, the argument itself is sort of — it might be politically astute. But it seems sort of disingenuous. And I think Democrats in general should have been pointing out a lot more that this idea of free college is not a new thing. The UC system was free until the ‘70s. The CUNY system which produced a lot of the leading conservative minds in the country was also free until the 1970s. And so this isn’t some sort of departure like “Medicare for all.” This is actually the way public education used to be. And bringing market mechanisms into public universities has been sort of a disaster. My fear about what happens if you have free college for, say, everybody under $100,000 is that it creates incentives which you already see in some of these state university systems to really focus on bringing in the families that can kind of subsidize everyone else. I’ve been to public colleges in Arizona where, because there’s less and less money from the state, there’s more and more of an emphasis on getting out-of-state students from California, which has created this sort of arms race of amenities, while basic educational functions are ignored. I’m not sure you’d have that exact problem if you just had free college for people whose families make under six figures. But I do think that the idea that it’s obviously going to function better is untested at best.

Look, Buttigieg is obviously trying to score some rhetorical points here by talking about paying for college of millionaires and billionaires. But there is a larger point that’s true here, which is, Michelle, that the world you worry about creating is a world that I think we already have. So I don’t have a problem with getting to a world in which all college is free. But the idea that we would start now by making all college free, to me, has two really big problems. One, it really is regressive. It really is sending a lot of benefits to people like high-income professionals who don’t need the help relative to most Americans. And two, it’s not obviously a political winner. And so it might be a political loser. The polling’s sort of mixed on it. And so I guess I just prefer an approach that, one, is going to help more people that need help and, two, might actually be more popular and make it more likely that Donald Trump loses. And so that’s why I prefer the Buttigieg approach.

So I guess my question — and I’m more on David’s side, but I’ll play devil’s advocate a little bit — is that I think the strongest case for various socialistic proposals is that we’ve set up markets in health care and education in this country that just don’t work at all, because nobody knows what the prices are. I am an upper middle class professional trying to figure out what I need to save for college. And if I look at elite college tuition rates going forward, I have no idea how that interacts with these incredibly opaque financial aid systems that are there to milk just the right amount of money out of each group and so on. And that is both a deterrent for low-income people in applying to college at all, because they get sticker shock and look at these prices that aren’t real prices and don’t apply. And it’s a source of endless stress for parents and, to some extent kids. And Buttigieg’s proposal, it probably adds to some of that complexity and stress to some extent, even as it reduces it for lower-income people. There is an advantage in terms of how people interact with bureaucracy and how people interact with these systems to just say, yeah, these schools cost money. And these schools are free.

And look, we love to denigrate American high schools today. But historically, they’re this unbelievable success story. America moved toward universal high school education before Europe. And our economy benefited enormously. And that’s basically the argument that, to some extent, you each are making. And I guess I would love to get to a world in which at least two years of college are free for everyone and maybe four. But a little bit as with “Medicare for all,” the idea of saying, this is what the Democrats are really going to double down on, decide it’s what they really want, free college for all, as opposed to a really ambitious climate bill or as opposed to a wealth tax, which I like. To me, it’s just not exactly worth it. And you get a huge portion of the benefit without the downsides by doing a more targeted approach. And by the way, I prefer Buttigieg’s to Biden’s approach. Biden’s approach is free community college for all, which I’ve written positive things about. But I also like the idea that we don’t tell poorer kids that the only way to get the benefits of this program are go to a community college and we say to them, you can also get it by going to a four-year college. But you’re right, the plan that I’m talking about is more complicated. It’s cheaper, but it’s more complicated than the idea of free college, period, for everybody.

I’m willing to concede that there might be a short-term political benefit when it comes to defeating Donald Trump. But I would also say that if a Democrat gets elected, they’re going to have a much better chance, I think, of starting from the position of what they really want and negotiating from there rather than starting with a halfway measure and maybe, if they’re lucky, getting to free community college.

Yeah, and I’m skeptical that this is — I think “Medicare for all” as proposed by Warren and Sanders is very unpopular. I think this would be much less unpopular and would not be an issue that would help reelect Trump per se. I’ll now switch sides and make the opposite argument. I think there is a case, on the one hand, that the four year college model is oversubscribed, actually, in America right now and what we need is more people going to community colleges, trade school, continuing education, more investment in that space. And that makes me more sympathetic to the Biden proposal, in that it sort of very specifically directs resources there rather than towards the college system as a whole. I also think there’s an argument that seems pretty plausible, which is that, David, you mentioned how the American high school system was the envy of the Western world. Well, right now, the American college system, as horrible as it is in six different ways, is considered by a lot of people to be better than the college systems in Western Europe. And one reason it’s better is that it is well-funded in lots of ways, in part because it induces parents to part with their money. And college becomes free, and then that becomes a justification for state governments to say, look, these kids at these state schools are getting a free education. They don’t need lavish amenities. They don’t need high-paid faculty. We’re going to cut the higher ed budget. And pretty quickly, it would actually end up starving a lot of middle and lower tier colleges of revenue, even as the rich private colleges, which are the ones whose revenue you should actually be cutting would be doing fine. I think that’s actually a pretty plausible description of how free college might actually end up undercutting the colleges.

But the argument against that is that that’s precisely what happens when it is only free for the sort of bottom tiers. When free college is something that, say, 80 percent of families can take advantage of, you have much more social buy-in, just as there’s much more protectiveness around Medicare than there is around Medicaid because of who gets it. It creates a constituency for this that is much harder for politicians to ignore.

Clearly, Buttigieg is not just thinking about education here. He sees a lane to get these large number of Democrats who either are moderate or want a moderate who they consider to be electable. Michelle, how do you assess the state of the race right now? Kamala Harris has just dropped out. It feels like Biden and Buttigieg are competing for the moderate voters. And Warren and Bernie are competing for the progressive voters. Where do you see things?

I don’t think there’s any real clarity about where the race is right now. It seems extremely indeterminate. Buttigieg has gone from someone who I think a lot of people on the left found kind of interesting and thought he had a lot of compelling structural ideas. And he has now whipped up such intense ill will among the progressive part of the Democratic Party, in part because he’s doing this while accepting Republican framing of these issues in a way that I think that Democrats, or at least a good section of the party sees as really pernicious. And so it might end up helping him get the nomination. And I think it would also make it much harder to unify the party if he actually did.

I’m a little more optimistic than that. I remember when Barack Obama was outraging progressives. Our colleague Paul Krugman really didn’t like the way Obama ran against Hillary in 2008, and talking about bringing everyone together, which a lot of progressives found naive. So I don’t know. I agree with you, Michelle, that’s what he’s trying to do here. But I do feel like it’s something that he could recover from in the unlikely but not impossible event that he’s the nominee.

A quick note before we take a break. 2019 is quickly coming to an end. And here at “The Argument,” we’re thinking about the year ahead. So we want to hear from you. What are your New Year’s resolutions? We want to hear them, especially if they’re related to politics, culture, or something beyond your own life. Maybe you’re going to canvas for a political candidate for the first time. Or maybe you’re going to add a few different news sources to your reading list. Whatever it is, big or small, share your resolutions with us by leaving us a voicemail at 347-915-4324. Make sure you tell us your name and where you’re from so we can play your call on an upcoming episode. And with that, we will take a quick break.

Americans aren’t having as many children as they used to. The fertility rate in the U.S. declined last year for the fourth year in a row and has fallen to a record low. It’s not just the United States either. Fertility rates in much of Europe and Japan are low enough to be causing population declines. And in China, the end of the “one child” policy has not led to the baby boom that some expected. What’s going on here? Anna Louie Sussman is a writer who tried to answer that question in a fascinating recent Times op-ed called “The End of Babies.” And she has joined us for the discussion. Anna, thank you, and welcome to “The Argument.”

Thank you for having me.

So I was struck by your description of fertility rates being low in a really wide variety of countries, including some with really good parental benefits like Denmark and some with really terrible parental benefits like the United States. And I came away thinking that I guess the closest thing to a single explanation for this trend is a rise of what might be called individualism over communitarianism. You mentioned this notion of workism, of people focusing on their careers out of either necessity or choice. And you also talk about people being wary of bringing children into a world suffering from climate change and extreme inequality. So I was wondering whether you think it’s legitimate to think about falling fertility rates as being a reflection of the individual triumphing over the community.

I wouldn’t necessarily put it that way. I think there’s a few different parts to the issue. One, I don’t see falling fertility rates in a macro perspective as necessarily a huge issue. I think there’s loads of people in the world. We’re not suffering from an actual shortage of people. What I was more interested in is what’s happening on an individual level, which is to say, a gap between the number of children people say they want and the number of children they wind up having. Demographers call this underachieving fertility. And it’s particularly acute amongst educated women. The other issue, I think, is individual versus a kind of way of thinking that takes into account interdependence. I use this term late capitalism in the essay. People have kind of quibbled with it a bit. But I meant particular aspects of the way that our economy is conducted right now. And in particular, I was thinking of extreme inequality. I was thinking of this growth mentality that requires more resources and more raw materials and more energy and more manufacturing and creates more waste. But it’s also gone way into our psyches. And it’s affected relationships between women and men in very disturbing ways and our own self-conceptions. And all of that has made it, for a variety of reasons, more difficult to contemplate or realize this idea of having children.

Michelle, how do you think about the part of the essay in which Anna points out that fertility is really weak, even in countries that have the sort of structure that you and I think the U.S. should have? Which is, it’s really weak in Denmark, even though Denmark has really good parental leave. So it doesn’t seem like it’s just a story about the safety net.

Well, it’s not just a story about safety net. But it’s partly a story about the safety net, because the two countries that have higher fertility than America right now are Sweden and France, not that much higher and not replacement. And it might just be pregnancy and childbirth is an extraordinarily brutal experience that most women, given the choice, are not going to go through again and again and again. A society that’s kind of shrinking slowly, which you get at 1.8 or 1.9 births per woman versus 1.4, 1.5, those have really different social implications. And so the only way that we know of in which a modern society, women who have kind of the whole full plethora of economic options that modernism gives them, the only way we know in which you get fertility even sort of close to replacement is with really rich social safety net provisions and a sort of culture that enables women to combine work and family. The thing that we do know is that efforts to juice fertility by just imposing penalties on women, by trying to make gender roles more reactionary are an abject failure. So the thing that’s absolutely toxic for fertility rates is a combination of modernity and economic freedom for women but a total lack of feminism and a social safety net.

And I’ll add that I was just in Poland earlier this year doing some reporting. And it’s quite clear when I talk to single women who are pursuing fertility treatments to become parents on their own, the women feel like the men have not caught up. These are women who are independently — they support themselves. They’re ambitious. But they still have an interest in having a family, a partner, and children. But they have not been able to find men who have really kept pace and necessarily share their views of what a more egalitarian relationship would look like.

And I think it’s probably not just individual men, although you might expect that I would come to the defense of individual men. But I do think it’s sort of the structures that we have in society that basically contribute to sexism, that we have all these structures that make it really hard for people to find meaningful part-time work and that basically lead to all kinds of inequities in child rearing, which in turn make much more of the burden fall on women and make me understand why people might be reluctant to have kids into that structure.

I guess I’d start by throwing out one other example of a country that’s rich and developed and has a higher fertility rate than the U.S. that I think goes to some of the questions about the kind of cultural and even metaphysical things going on here, which is Israel. It doesn’t have a fertility rate at replacement level. It has a fertility rate well above replacement level. And its fertility rate is higher in part because of immigration by Orthodox Jews over the last 20 or 30 years or 40, 50 years that’s made Israel a more religious society. But if you look at birth rates among secular Israelis, they are also basically comparably high and much higher than in any other wealthy country. And I think that’s a really interesting fact that, at the very least, it suggests something about sort of the nature of community and feelings of, on the one hand, threat and on the other hand, possibility. Israel is a country that is historically imperiled and exists in this strange equilibrium where it’s as rich and developed as a lot of countries in Europe but is in the Middle East and has military threats on its borders and so on. And I think it suggests that there is something about a culture’s perception of its own sense of purpose, its sense of the future.

Right, but Israel is also a very special case, because there is this sort of —

Ethnonationalist.

Well, it’s not even — but it’s not even ethnonationalist, because I feel like there’s a more innocent term for it. But basically, you have Israel is this country that was sort of born from the ashes of a Holocaust. And there’s this very strong cultural imperative to reconstitute the Jewish people. I’m not sure what other countries can kind of borrow from that. I don’t think that that’s an ethos that can be constructed.

No, I think it’s very clearly not an ethos that can just be transferred. But I think the power of that ethos to shape child rearing in a profound way tells us something about how much an ethos matters, in the sense that it’s not just the structures of the welfare state. It’s not just the condition of late capitalism. It’s not just the sexual revolution. Israel has late capitalism, the sexual revolution, a full-on welfare state, and much larger families. And I totally agree. That’s related to the nature and destiny of the Jewish people after the Holocaust. But it tells you something about how much cultural belief and purpose matter.

It may not be fully replicable. And I certainly— Michelle, you know I agree with you about having the policies that make it possible that Israel has and Sweden has and we don’t. That is a little bit what I was trying to get at with the individual and community thing, that that exists. And I feel like not just in the west but also in China, in Japan, in much of the world today, this idea of individualism really has taken hold. You see it with climate change, Anna, which was a big part of your piece. You see it with inequality. And I do feel like there’s this notion of people thinking much more about the individual than the family or the community.

I mean, I will say that you can find community at different levels. But whether it’s the caliber of community that would make it possible to raise children in an absence of any government policy is a different question. So I have plants, and I have a dog. And my neighbors, when I’m away, alternatively look after my plants and my dog. But I could not do that with a child.

They’re actually surprisingly resilient. [LAUGHTER]

Right, you just drop some food in a bowl.

You get them at the hospital. And you’re sort of baffled by how you’re going to keep them alive. But then, five years later, there they are.

But I think it’s also a question of, what do you feel you can ask someone in an environment of so much scarcity. I was raised by a single mom. And some of the things that we relied on just aren’t there anymore. For example, in our neighborhood when I would come home from summer camp, from day camp, my mom would give me $3 and I’d buy a bowl of egg drop soup. And then I’d read for three hours until she got off work and could pick me up from the Chinese restaurant. There are no more restaurants in my neighborhood where you can get anything for $3. So those kind of community level supports aren’t always there anymore as a function of these larger macroeconomic forces of gentrification and housing prices.

And can I just add — also, I think the amount of supervision and cultivation that’s expected of parents has escalated dramatically.

To me, there’s also a sense in which I tend to think of it as less about scarcity and more about abundance, in the sense that this trend obviously correlates with countries getting very rich. I was joking about the ease of raising kids. But the reality is that there is an irreducible difficulty to having children that no amount of wealth can get rid of. And this comes up in your op-ed a bit, Anna. But the cost of childcare doesn’t go down in the way that the cost of a new stereo goes down, because you need a human being to watch your child if you’re not watching your own child. And in that sense, I don’t think it’s surprising that people in an age of general material abundance would find this lifelong task that the material abundance doesn’t make easier something they’re less inclined to do. And I wanted to ask you about something that we sort of went back and forth briefly about on Twitter, which is that your piece doesn’t really get into the question of marriage and marriage rates. But I wanted to ask you about that, just because one of the facts about the recent fertility decline in the U.S. is that it’s not happening among married couples. Married fertility in the last 10 or 15 years is pretty stable. And so it’s a function of rates of single parenthood dropping slightly and lower marriage rates overall. And I wonder how you fit the decline of marriage itself into the story you’re telling.

One thing that really stuck with me — it didn’t go in the piece. But when I was reporting in Denmark, I talked to this policymaker. She was concerned about the fertility issue. And my joke when I talk to policymakers, if you want to see your birth rates go up, you need to fix men. For example, you could have a law that if you don’t return a woman’s SMS within a week, you get fined $50, something like that. I find myself, for example — I’m not going out with anyone. And on any given evening, I could go out on a date, or I could you know finish a story I’m working on or write something that I’m doing for income. And you wind up getting into this very calculating mindset that I think makes it really hard to relax and go out and meet people. And that’s, I think, also what I was referring to in terms of a scarcity mentality.

What do you think is wrong with the men?

Well, I was going to offer an example from a Bumble profile that crossed my path recently. His profile reads, “Hedge fund manager that has generated top one percent returns globally three years in a row. Travel a ton for work. Like sports. Collegiate athlete. I have limited time, so don’t try to negotiate stupid crap with me. Let life happen. Let’s meet for a drink.”

That was actually in my Bumble profile before I was married.

Wait, can I say something here? Anna and I have been friends for a long time. And sometimes when we’re talking about how brutal it is out there, I’ve actually wanted Anna to talk to Ross, because the one thing that I think that you guys both hit on from different directions, that Ross has written a bunch of columns about men and women growing apart, just having less and less in common. And that’s, I feel like, sometimes what I hear from Anna about just that it’s almost like speaking a different language to try to communicate with these people.

I used to be more, why can’t they get it together. Why don’t they read more? Why don’t they diversify their interests? But it’s an environment where also men still believe in that they have to earn a family wage. And I think whether you’re a woman or a man, if you’re working 100 hours a week, you’re not going to have the time and opportunity to pursue whatever other interests you have. So what that means for me when I’m sitting across the table or sitting at a bar with someone, trying to get to know them, is that I don’t necessarily haven’t anything in common, because he’s been working a lot. And I’ve been doing the kind of interesting, fulfilling job that, as a woman, I’ve been told “pursue your passion.” I think men get such different messages. And it’s left us, especially in an era where you do need so much money to survive, in these very different positions.

I want to quickly just quickly defend the male desire to be the breadwinner, because I think one of the questions that hangs over this alienation between the sexes is a question of what are men for in a post-feminist egalitarian society where the example of the professional women who you’re talking about in Europe or America are basically saying, well, I can do everything a man can do now. But I still want a partner and so on. Men need a sense of purpose. And even in an egalitarian society, the obvious place to find purpose is, look, your partner, your female partner does this incredibly difficult but also incredibly awesome thing of gestating and bearing a child. And your role in that is a sort of protective, providing role. You want to be equipped to, if not being the sole breadwinner all the time, being the person who can carry the load while your wife is pregnant and while your kid is young and so on. And I think it’s very hard to imagine a healthy masculinity that produces the kind of guys who would be suitable spouses for you, Anna, without some element of that, without some element of, look, being a man, I’m never going to bear a child in my womb. But I can offer something to a future spouse while she does that that she can’t do for herself.

Here’s what I don’t understand. I went on a date a month or two ago someone who works at a hedge fund. And he said at first he didn’t tell women where he worked, because he didn’t want to be seen as a big checkbook. But then he said, you know what, it’s part of who I am. And I like numbers. And this is the job I chose. And I do want to be able to provide for a family and make that known. But I think what he was missing and what I find myself wondering about is, wouldn’t it be so much nicer to be wanted than needed. If you know that I don’t actually need you for your money, but I just picked you, because you’re the most fun person I’ve met to hang out with, wouldn’t that be a wonderful basis on which to form a relationship? And Ross, if you’re lucky, we’ll get married. Maybe we’ll even convert to Catholicism.

I don’t even — I’m blushing at the other end of the mic.

And on that note, Anna Louie Sussman, thank you so much for joining us.

Thanks, Anna.

Now it’s time for our weekly recommendation when we suggest something meant to take your mind off of the news of the day. Michelle, It is your turn this week. What do you have for us?

I’m going to recommend the movie “Queen and Slim” which I wrote about in my column this week. It’s this really remarkable film about this couple on a sort of very awkward and desultory first date who are on their way home. He’s on his way to drop her off. And they’re pulled over by the police. It’s the sort of encounter that we’ve seen a million times in which the cop becomes needlessly aggressive and ends up menacing black people and in some case killing them, except in this case, there’s a scuffle. The cop ends up being killed in self-defense. And this couple go on the run. It’s not a perfect film. But I was just so rapt by this movie. I was kind of ugly crying when it ended. And I was also sort of astonished that it got made at all. And I see that as a optimistic sign of where the culture is. It’s been compared to a lot of blaxploitation films. There’s also obvious comparisons to “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Thelma and Louise.” And I looked back at some of the criticism around those two movies. Those two movies were really, really hard to get made. And I assumed that this movie with a first-time director who’s a woman of color, a black woman script writer, a movie that’s steeped in the politics of Black Lives Matter— I would have thought it would have had a much harder road to the Hollywood screens than it did. But apparently, Universal basically gave the filmmakers the resources they need and turned them loose.

I’m really looking forward to seeing it, not least because I just saw— my last movie experience was Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” which I really wanted to like, because I’m, of course, on Scorsese’s side in the great battle over comic book movies. But “The Irishman” was, I thought, sort of ruined by having Robert De Niro play a role that he’s just too old to play and using digital effects that didn’t suffice to have him fill the part. So a more dynamic and youthful and interestingly political movie that isn’t a comic book movie sounds great to me right now.

And it’s shorter.

And it’s an hour and 15 minutes shorter than “The Irishman” as well.

Michelle, what’s the recommendation?

“Queen and Slim.”

That’s our show this week. Thanks so much for listening. And we would very much like to hear from you. Share your sociopolitical New Year’s resolution with us or your views on free college or declining fertility rates. Leave us a voicemail at 347-915-4324. And if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts. This week’s show was produced by Kristin Schwab for Transmitter Media and edited by Sarah Nics. Our executive producer is Gretta Cohn. We had help from Tyson Evans, Phoebe Lett, and Ian Prasad Philbrick. Our theme was composed by Allison Leyton-Brown. We’ll see you back here next week.

Nothing made me more sympathetic for the decadent liberal elites who I like to criticize in my column than actually having a kid and realizing, my god, I miss brunch.

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Should public colleges be tuition-free? Should student loan debt be forgiven? This week on “The Argument,” the columnists discuss Pete Buttigieg’s criticisms of his more liberal Democratic rivals’ plans to reduce the costs of higher education. Proponents of free college should stress that — in some cases — tuition-free higher education would be a return to form rather than a radical break, argues Michelle Goldberg. David Leonhardt thinks universal free college and universal debt cancellation are both regressive policies and bad politics. And while simplifying the costs of higher education is a laudable goal, Ross Douthat says, he favors proposals to better fund community colleges, trade schools and other alternatives to four-year schools.

Then, the birthrate in the United States and in countries around the world is falling. The journalist Anna Louie Sussman joins the columnists to debate the causes and implications of what she termed, in a recent Times op-ed , “the end of babies.”

And finally, Michelle recommends a subversive new film whose very existence is an optimistic sign about our cultural moment.

Background Reading:

Ross on marriage and declining fertility rates

Michelle on what happens when public colleges lose funding (The Nation) , feminism and the fertility rate and the thrilling shock of “Queen & Slim”

David on why free college and debt forgiveness for all are regressive

Anna Louie Sussman, “ The End of Babies ”

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Home / Essay Samples / Education / Free Education / Should College Be Free: Analysis of Benefits and Drawbacks

Should College Be Free: Analysis of Benefits and Drawbacks

• Category: Education
• Topic: College Tuition , Free Education

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Benefits of Free College Education

Drawbacks and concerns, considerations for implementation.

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