A 2017 College Board study estimated that the cost of college has increased 100% since 2001. The St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank estimates that U.S. college tuition debt has increased from $480 billion in 2006 to $1.5 trillion in 2018. Several 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary candidates have argued that the cost of college is out of control and that the government should pay for tuition. Opponents argue that the government cant afford it and point to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal budget that estimate programs would cost the government $80 billion a year.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Discussions from these authors are shown:
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
Yes
@B76TZFQ 3wks3W
Free college provides well education for everyone, which supports our community in work. Free college will allow people to be educated on a specific topic required for a job, making the community bigger and helping everyone. Free college offers more opportunities for everyone, rich or poor.
@B76ZJ2C3wks3W
I think that other nations across the world provide free university at a excellent level. In our nation I feel if we made college free then students would be able to focus on an education as well as colleges being able to support these students and give them a more academic challenge.
@B772YXV3wks3W
Free college isn't free. It just hikes taxes on the back end, which makes the rest of Americans pay for schooling they'll never use. Incentives should be given for trade school!
@B773KWJ3wks3W
Fiscally constraining which will only increase the national debt. I see no reason why rich individuals and those who can afford College should receive free college for all. Instead, we should only give it to those who cannot afford it.
@Joe-MusgroveSocialist 3wks3W
I agree, I believe it would improve our country and help people to be more productive and successful members of the community.
@9GXB6PM 2yrs2Y
I don't think college should be free to all because I feel like college should be something that people have to earn, people should earn the right to be able to go to college and work hard for it. If college was free to all than people could just coast by in school, and not even try.
@9GXFYB3Independent2yrs2Y
i dont think college should be free for everyone, however i do believe that more scholarships should be available to lower income households or maybe even first generation college attendees
@9GZZSZ2Republican2yrs2Y
College should be free to all, because not everyone who "earns" their way into college has the appropriate funding to let them carry out their college career. It is one person's own choice to not try in school, but those who earn their place in college, obviously will not decide to do that.
@9GXG3WHRepublican2yrs2Y
College should never be free because college is a choice and it's known that college is very expensive. Students need to pre-plan and budget for college. They can also use their education to work towards scholarships to help pay the prices.
@9GXK7GT2yrs2Y
I believe that the prices of community college are reasonable enough for anyone to find an odd job or savings in order to attend. There should be federal aid for people in situations where this is not affordable though such as being a teen parent or under a certain living wage based on income/hours worked yearly. Private universities should NOT be free as this would propel our country into more debt…
@9FZMX3CIndependent 2yrs2Y
Studies have shown that countries with free or heavily subsidized higher education have higher college enrollment rates and lower student loan debt. It can help alleviate the burden of student loan debt, which has reached record levels. By making college more accessible and affordable, we can empower more individuals to pursue higher education, increase their earning potential, and contribute to the economy. It's an investment in the future of our society and the success of people in my generation and the more to come!
@B7KTN6PProgressive 3 days3D
Education should be a fundamental human right. As long as a person is meaningfully engaged in learning more about the world they inhabit, they are improving society and that should be accessible regardless of wealth or background.
@B7L5J4R2 days2D
College is for advancement of education, not necessary for a job. It is an option some choose but not for everyone. People can be successful without a college degree. Additionally, this will undercut those who’ve already paid and graduated with a college degree.
@B7L2B5Y2 days2D
Education simply is not a fundamental human right by definition. Rights cannot rely on others for them to be enacted (you cannot force a teacher to teach me). One could argue that access to information is a right, but not education. Additionally, the funding required this would add a significant amount of corruption to an already corrupt system by incentivizing back door deals between government and state institutions, ultimately allowing for education systems to be weaponized by the state without oversight. Lastly, it is u just to tax those that choose alternative paths (such as self learning, trade schools, etc.) to bear the tax burden to fund such an operation.
@B7KZMSY2 days2D
I agree that the drive to learn is one of the most important aspects of humanity and should never be impeded. I think being uneducated is also dangerous, because people will take advantage of you
@B7L2BCL2 days2D
I completely agree that education should be a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves a chance to go to college and build a better future, no matter how much money they have. Free college would help create more equality and open opportunites for people who want more for people who want to learn but can't afford it. When more people are educated, society becomes stronger, smarter, and more fair. Making college free would benefit everyone, not just students who attend.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No
@9FFPFR72yrs2Y
Free college for all is good because our society can have less stress on getting education and our country can be more advanced if more people are able to get education.
@9FFRCGMLibertarian2yrs2Y
If the government decides to pay for college, colleges will raise their prices by however much the government is providing.
@9FRRB5G2yrs2Y
Currently, due to the price of college, many can not afford it and therefore choose to not take that route when we need people to do certain jobs requiring a college education.
@HelcovichEmireRepublican6mos6MO
Someone's gotta pay for the college. It's either the student's family or taxpayers. The only way to reduce the price is to cut teacher and professor wages. A free college would put a heavy burden on taxpayers, either way it's gonna cost people. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure their child can go to college, taxes need to be significantly reduced for the rich people to reform to a flat tax.
@9FGGQPK2yrs2Y
The huge amount of student debt causes many families to not be able to pay for necessities later when they cant pay the loans
@9FFBT9R2yrs2Y
the government should be able to give free college for all because there are some students that want to go to college but their parents do not have the money for it.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, but provide more scholarship opportunities for low-income students
@9GXB6PM 2yrs2Y
Providing more scholarship opportunities for the low income less fortunate students is an amazing step for the future, Low-income students naturally work harder because they don't really have the things required to excell in life.
@9GXFD7Y2yrs2Y
I agree because it will provide equal opportunity to low-income students so they don't have to work as hard and they can still excel in life being low-income
@9GXFPDX2yrs2Y
yes because not everybody has money to go to college and get a education so yes we should go to college for free or have a public college.
@9GXF8NN2yrs2Y
I absolutely agree with this. They do not have the same chances at life because of their upbringing, and that is not fair. "Life is not fair" does not apply when it is something that can be fixed.
@9FZMX3CIndependent 2yrs2Y
Providing more scholarship opportunities for low-income students is a step in the right direction, but it may not fully address the issue of accessibility and affordability for all students. Free College for All would ensure equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their financial background. It would create a more level playing field and help break down barriers to higher education.
@9FZNFH32yrs2Y
The kids of today are meant to be tomorrow's leaders. How are they supposed to do that if they can't afford college? There is all this potential for them and all they need is the opportunity to be able to try.
Yes, I agree with this statement because if someone is dedicated to getting good grades and focusing in school than I believe their college tuition should be for free.
@9FTJW64 2yrs2Y
Expanding access to higher education through free college for all can bridge the socioeconomic gap and promote equality. Studies indicate that countries with tuition-free or heavily subsidized higher education, like many in Europe, have higher rates of college graduates, leading to a more skilled workforce and economic growth. By eliminating tuition fees, students from low-income backgrounds can pursue higher education without the burden of debt, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society. Additionally, investing in education at this level can lead to a more informed citizenry, fostering innovation and progress. Providing scholarship opportunities, while valuable, might not be enough to address the systemic inequalities that free college for all aims to rectify, making it a more comprehensive solution.
@9FTNY46Republican2yrs2Y
College affordability is at its lowest point in history, but the need for a college degree only increases. The weight of a degree, even an associate's degree, determines a job even at entry level. Low-income families know there aren't many options when choosing a college because they know the need to go to a cheaper one and take out the dreaded student loans is the only option left. Free college gives everyone the chance at higher education and allows for our people to flourish with knowledge, to bring up the average for those who take the chance to learn because they have the choice but also for those who don't.
@9FTP5BPIndependent2yrs2Y
I agree with this comment about free college for all. Students should have the right to pursue a higher education regardless of their background and income records. If we gave free education for those students we would be highly advanced in today's technology with people's potential. Become more educated and be civilized which can reduce violence and unacceptable behaviors in public.
@9G2JJ64 2yrs2Y
Many students who get into colleges get into huge debt because of how much money they had to borrow from the government. Scholarships may give funding, but only if the student wins. Doing scholarships takes time, and people who don't have as much time to do it don't get equal funding. When students get into debt, they take most of their lives paying it. It's like the federal government made sure to lure the young students into a trap where they will have to be paying off a huge debt for the rest of their lives. The federal government has to make sure that all students have equal chances of graduating from a college.
@9G3JD3ZWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
yes because higher education is more expensive than it needs to be and so many citizens are still swimming in their college debts because they can't pay them all off so either reduce tuition by thousands or make it free.
@9G3J7GP2yrs2Y
yes I agree with the author the government should give people the right for higher education and chance at it
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, but provide lower interest rates for student loans
@9FT8J9V2yrs2Y
while lower interest rates do help, in the end it would overall be more beneficial for the government to pay for all of college because many students still cant afford college even with lower interest rates.
@9FM5XPB2yrs2Y
Students don't want student loans or college debts because then they would have to pay it off later and that could rack up to a lot of money and they probably wouldn't be able to pay it off. They would have to worry about that on top of whatever else they have to do. Having Free College would put less stress on the person and they wouldn't have to worry about debt or paying back student loans.
@B25T8HT10mos10MO
“Students don't want student loans or college debts because then they would have to pay it off later and that could rack up to a lot of money and they probably wouldn't be able to pay it off.”
I agree because student loans can be a huge financial burden that takes years to pay off. Free college would reduce stress and let students focus on their education and future careers without worrying about debt. It would make higher education more accessible for everyone
@9FGR8FGWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
The Federal government isn't responsible for providing individuals with a college level education. However, the government should strive to help improve the number of citizens who are able to obtain a college education by helping lower student loans rate. School should be an investment that you can realistically pay off. Such as how we paid for failed businesses during COVID and how we paid to help bail out big banks. Why not give the money back to people who could also use the help.
@9FSJK372yrs2Y
By the time kids get out of college they are not gonna want to pay off all of the loans and debts that they have carried from college
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
Yes, but only for partial tuition
@9GLFMSY 2yrs2Y
Top Agreement
Many students do not come from a wealthy or even stable family. These students also have limited resources and are not able to find scholarships. Students who have experienced more hardships than average kids should most definitely have free college opportunities. Other students should also have the opportunities for a more affordable college.
@9GLHW9RRepublican2yrs2Y
there are many options to have free collage through the work of the student. there are many scholar ships giving chances to people of this nature. if a student is willing to work hard enough to go to collage they can do it for free already.
@9GLHVCYRepublican2yrs2Y
Students who come from a poorer family have financial aid, scholarships are available for students the ACT is given to students for free. You have to work for what you get. It is the students job to pay for college no matter where you come from.
@9GLMJGJ2yrs2Y
I agree that many students do not come from a wealthy or even stable family. Students should have the opportunities for a more affordable college.
@9GLJ8BF2yrs2Y
Everyone has the right to an education and it should be affordably available to all in order to jump start a career.
@9FT8J9V2yrs2Y
partial tuition allows for many people to receive help paying for college without taking to much funds out of the government that is either payed by taxes or used on other important events.
@9H56RQP2yrs2Y
Most would agree that college isn't for everyone. While I believe college should be offered for free to all for the first four semesters (two years), those who take advantage of the free ride or slack off should be held to strict penalties / academic probation while offered educational assistance & tutoring. If they continue to meet the minimum standard or fail most or all of their classes, then they will be barred from further educational aid after two consecutive semesters of failure.
@9FSLYZGRepublican2yrs2Y
I think that is not very fair to have students who worked hard for college to end up having to pay full price and the government should assist some people with that.
@8LXMDF55yrs5Y
I think they should help the people who need it but not for everyone
@94Z37B43yrs3Y
No, but abolish interest rates for student loans.
@8G5FNF4Libertarian5yrs5Y
No, but they should offer more scholarships and grants for all students of all types of income.
@9D5CTP52yrs2Y
Yes, but this should only apply to State colleges and Universities. Any aid for private will be based on the Public cost.
Private colleges often offer unique programs and smaller class sizes, which may be more suitable for some students. If federal aid is solely based on public cost, it might deter students from attending private institutions due to financial constraints, even if that institution is the best fit for their educational needs.
@9DVX7BM2yrs2Y
Yes but only for students entering college with a high likelihood of graduating. Admission process should be competitive.
@WittyRedWhiteBlue2yrs2Y
I agree with your point. For instance, a model similar to the one employed in many Scandinavian countries could be effective. They offer free higher education, but the admission process is highly competitive, ensuring only the most dedicated and capable students can attend. This model maintains a high standard of education and ensures that government resources are effectively utilized. However, this would require a significant shift in our current education system. Do you think such a drastic change could be implemented successfully in the US?
@9DRRZJZ2yrs2Y
Well I sure hate to burst your bubble, but human nature being what it is, government WILL have a vested interest in what is taught at universities and schools that it funds, and it will seek to indoctrinate and not to educate the citizens. Government does not collect taxes to provide services it provides services as an excuse to collect taxes, which is an excuse to grow its power over your life and this is an example. Plus last I checked the Constitution doesn't give the government any authority to bribe college students into blind obedience, servitude, and slavery using a check made of fake fiat money as a little birthday present from their Uncle Brandon.
@9FDPBFS2yrs2Y
It should be similar to a merit based scholorship; the percent you pass is how much gets payed.
I see where you're coming from, and it's a valid point. However, let's consider a student who excels in high school and gets into a good college, but then struggles due to circumstances beyond their control - say illness, or having to work part-time to support their family. According to a merit-based approach, this student could lose their funding and perhaps be unable to continue their education.
From my own experience, I've seen peers struggle in their early semesters, only to turn things around and excel in their final years. Sometimes, it's just about adjusting to a new environment and workload.
So, the question is, should we risk penalizing students who may initially struggle but have the potential to succeed? What could be a fair and effective alternative to the merit-based system you proposed?
@8KWVHJ8Women’s Equality5yrs5Y
Yes, but provide lower interest rates for student loans.
@9D5CBD22yrs2Y
The cost of current education should be reduced.
@MindRaisinsLibertarian2yrs2Y
At private Ivy League universities where tuition is generally high, they offer top-notch education, world-class facilities, and attract renowned faculty. If the federal government were to pay for tuition, it could lead to a compromise on these aspects due to budget constraints. What are your thoughts on this? How do you propose we maintain the quality of education while reducing costs?
@8SQZ4BS 2yrs2Y
Increase the federal pell grant funding for the low and middle class students. And instead of forgiving student loans, make the interest rate 0% in perpetuity.
@FinickyAntelope2yrs2Y
The Post-9/11 GI Bill, a program that pays for veterans' education, has had significant success. It has not only helped veterans but also stimulated the economy - for every dollar invested, it returned $1.54 to the economy.
@9SBR6FL1yr1Y
No, states like Tennessee are giving free college to those who graduate within the state by using the lottery and not be able to deviate the funds.
@B4C4KVQ6mos6MO
Students attend school tuition-free, and repay a percentage of their income after graduation, contingent on securing a job with a good salary.
@9DPC86L2yrs2Y
No, but they should lower the cost of college
@9F56462Progressive2yrs2Y
No, because it shouldn't cost money to get any kind of education.
@8JCYF7F5yrs5Y
provide more scholarship opportunities for low income students, and provide lower interest rates for student loans overall.
@9DNPBB7 2yrs2Y
Pay for X amount of dollars for the first 2 years of school regardless of school type. Trade, Community, University
@9GPLPTK2yrs2Y
yes but only for degrees that are useful and needed such as engineering and medical. Not like english or humanities.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
This persistent glorification of STEM fields, along with the suppression and rejection of the humanities, is creating deep societal problems. The promotion of STEM without the humanities just produces intellectual monsters, in which we end up with powerful industries run by people who could engineer weapons of mass destruction yet couldn't explain to someone how the holocaust happened. Our society's cultural and economic disincentivization of the humanities is actively creating this dangerous world where even incredibly "intelligent" people are completely ignorant to the world around them and the atrocities and injustices taking place.
@9GNGKQN2yrs2Y
Private colleges and institutions have their own right to charge tuition, however there should be more federally aided colleges that provide free education to anyone.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Private colleges and institutions should not exist.
@93NNQV53yrs3Y
Yes, but at public institutions only.
@9CC8LWWRepublican2yrs2Y
@8DB5PWQ5yrs5Y
Yes, but only for state schools and community colleges
@9F48VQDLibertarian2yrs2Y
Hell no. The 4 yr universities are woke enough at current govt involvement
@9CM44YH2yrs2Y
No, but provide lower interest rates for student loans and but provide more scholarship opportunities for low-income students.
@8XG7SPW4yrs4Y
Only for important degrees.
@8PFTC955yrs5Y
Yes, but only for in state public colleges and universities
@8H4DF7B5yrs5Y
No but provide more scholarship opportunities and lower interest rates for low income students.
@B7KZLLP2 days2D
the federal government should pay for tuition at public and state four-year colleges and universities.
@B5HKXC2Republican5mos5MO
I think that the government should offer more merit based scholarships, as the people who are more intelligent should be the people with degrees that have a greater focus on intelligence
@B4RTXBZ6mos6MO
Education should be free - See military spending question Higher education can include some paid things (very niche special courses)
@B3L4GG57mos7MO
Whether the federal government should pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities is a complex issue with many different arguments.
@B3FY78K7mos7MO
No but they should provide more scholarship opportunities for low income students AND provide lower intrest rates for student loans
@B2X8B9J8mos8MO
Provide more scholarships and lower interest rates for student loans and overall give financial aid to students.
@9ZFM5TXIndependent11mos11MO
Create public colleges for people not willing to join the military, but provide them with a contract system so they must work a government job once they are out of college
@9WDTKJ812mos12MO
College finances and college success should be monitored to, and the impact of how much that costs, why and where those costs exist, and what funds go into that. If the taxes and dollars already attributing to serving these school systems exist, then from state to state - there should be ways that this helps those who live there.
@9TYZLLFRepublican1yr1Y
if they graduate the college or universities then yes the government should pay but if they don't then they have to pay it them self.
The historical activity of users engaging with this question.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
