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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEducationStarted 7yrs agoActive 2hrs ago1 here now

Should the federal government pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities?

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.

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55.6k Replies

 @B7KZLLP from Washington D.C.  answered…8mos8MO

the federal government should pay for tuition at public and state four-year colleges and universities.

 @8Z3F3Q8 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but for certain circumstances.

 @BDYBVCB from Washington D.C.  answered…7 days7D

Yes and the funding should come from our military budget

 @BDT2K9Z from Washington D.C.  answered…3wks3W

Public school should be free

 @BDSSN63Republican from Washington D.C.  answered…3wks3W

in the form of a loan, sure

 @BDJLTFR from Washington D.C.  answered…1mo1MO

Yes, education is a basic right that should be affordable to anyone

 @BDF23HQ from Washington D.C.  answered…1mo1MO

There shouldn't be tuition for colleges and universities in general because it's our right as citizens of the United Nations to continue our education and it's based on racism.

 @BCWDC6N from Washington D.C.  answered…2mos2MO

The government should sanction higher costs institutions to lower their overall costs of attendance, they should also remove interest on student loans completely, and they should provide more scholarship opportunities.

 @BCRDT2J from Washington D.C.  answered…2mos2MO

Enforce regulations on universities that limit price hikes on tuition

 @BCNL82J from Washington D.C.  answered…2mos2MO

Yes, but only for in-state, public institutions or community colleges.

 @BBPPYLK from Washington D.C.  answered…3mos3MO

Yes, if there is a public/civil service commitment associated with it (military/Firefighting/EMS/Police/hospital volunteer/etc.)

 @BBMC8V8 from Washington D.C.  answered…4mos4MO

Only if it is on a list of colleges or universities that the gov pays for or the individual has benefits towards the costs of tuition

 @BB2DYDR from Washington D.C.  answered…4mos4MO

They should pay for the tuition and university,where people are trying to go into the health care system and save lives, they shouldn't have to go into debt to do a good deed

 @B9PB7TX from Washington D.C.  answered…5mos5MO

No. Many of the cost issues could be solved by not making people think college is necessary and giving tuition money to people who aren’t citizens.

 @B8ZSRNJ from Washington D.C.  answered…6mos6MO

Financial aid stops applying to people from middle class families. Which is unreasonable. Although many middle class families have the money to pay, it would severely impact the amount of money they would have for necessities. Particularly families with more than one child. Middle class versus upper class is actually a very big disparity, and it's not very commonly realized.

 @B8Z2M8Q from Washington D.C.  answered…6mos6MO

Tuition should be much lower for all 4-year colleges and universities, Then the government should provide some or all financial aid for low income students.

 @B8BL4YWProgressive from Washington D.C.  answered…7mos7MO

For public four-year colleges and universities, there should be partial tuition for in-state residents attending state-funded schools. If you're attending a private four-year college or university, then you should only have access to government-supported loan programs that have anti-predatory measures in place.

 @B7QGMQS from Washington D.C.  answered…8mos8MO

Yes and no, if your grades are trash and it’s like public school then you’re not trying to make a life for yourself DON’T let them. But for average people yeah! Get that job. Would make the job market more competitive unless we made more jobs

 @B6RYMHYPeace and Freedom from Washington D.C.  answered…10mos10MO

The government shouldn't pay all of college and uni tuitions, but they should make it cheaper. More scholarships and support for low income students would help, since a lot of people drop out because it costs too much

 @B6NB2DXProgressive from Washington D.C.  answered…10mos10MO

State governments should pay for different tiers of tuition up to and including full tuition for their public forum-year colleges and universities

 @B65HNZ4 from Washington D.C.  answered…11mos11MO

Community College should be free, as well as sponsorships for Trade schools, four year degrees should have a capped cost with lower interest rates

 @B5GXMNB from Washington D.C.  answered…1yr1Y

Depends on student household income, number of people in household, etc. Offer less interest, partial loans, and more scholarships.

 @B4KHR27 from Washington D.C.  answered…1yr1Y

I think they can help if you pay a month interest , like Medicare however private colleges will have to pay themselves

 @B23RWYS from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

It might make colleges less assessable because there will be a lot more people going if it’s being by paid for in full so I’d say it should get paid for people who have a good gpa and are passionate about being on task and going to the classes

 @9ZP9HR8Progressive from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but college should be drastically cheaper, accessible, and affordable for students and community colleges should be free.

 @9WMT29K from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

I think community college should be offered for free while state schools should remain tuition-based depending on income.

 @9WC8NG2 from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but they should restructure the federal loan system so that schools cannot charge as much as they currently do.

 @9SJLBZK from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

No, take a look at Europe first and fix the problem of making all schools similar academically and then there could be talk about more funding to school

 @9RRHNZL from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

We should be investing into our education programs that allow public schools to be free to heavily discounted.

 @9RLMXNZ from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

No, require college tuition to decrease and place a cap so that it is affordable and doesn’t require student loans in the first place

 @9R7NFLP  from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Government (i.e tax payers) should not pay. Cost of education should be adjusted relative to the specific type of education being pursed. I also think the overall quality of the education system should be revised to match the world we live in today (AI, etc.).

 @9Q5F98P from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only for specific majors with sufficient income outcomes to justify the investment in the economy.

 @9NBCFYNGreen from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, particularly for those who do not come from families with generational wealth and legacies of attending college.

 @9M2WHCG from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

The cost of education is insane. Find ways to significantly lower costs before we even think about the government getting involved.

 @9LCQP89  from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, for those who can't afford it (including those who have had a "falling out" with their parents.)

 @9LBBWQK from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but provide more opportunities for students who have worked hard during their high school years.

 @9L2BYWKRepublican from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Stop using tax dollars for unnecessary things like funding other countries and use them for Scholarships.

 @9KD2ZSWIndependent from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Should promote and subsidize trades. There should be a limit on 4 year programs. They should be paid for if they are jobs that require extra education.

 @9K24S68 from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

I think that ideally everyones education should be payed for but I don't think that that is entirely possible under the current higher education system. I think this is because the cost of schooling is absurd and over inflated. This is due in large part to the for profit nature of American Universities. If you want the government to pay for education (which I think they should) we must first institute large scale education reform.

 @9JWCYGP from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Not about the US, but if a government has left over non tax money to spend on that, why not do that)

 @9JJHQ3Y from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

No, they should just not let four-year colleges and universities charge as much as they do for tuition, especially when the education and services are not worth the price of the service.

 @9J9YP24 from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

Reimburse students who achieve academic success rather than paying student loans or tuition up front.

 @9HQTQFX from Washington D.C.  answered…2yrs2Y

College Tuition is considerably overpriced and should be reduced. Colleges shouldn’t be subsidized by the government.

 @9HBDBMT from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

No, but essential personnel degrees (Doctors, surgeons, nurses, teachers, etc) need lower to free tuition. Jobs should be paid based on experience and sacrifices of their employees.

 @9GN2J6G from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

No, but price cap college tuition at a much lower rate for all students at any institutions which currently accept federal aid.

 @9G8T3YPLibertarian from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

lower interest rates, more scholarships, and maybe help pay a bit. Education is important for this countries development. Good education means better jobs and better economy and better people.

 @9FXMT69 from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, only at public institutions and vocational schools, and provide more scholarships opportunities for low-income students to attend private university

 @9FQYM3N from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

No, we should get rid of government subsizied grants and loans for education and cap how much institutions can charge.

 @9FKRSS5 from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

No but enforce tuition caps

 @9FKR858 from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes but only students on the Dean's list.

 @9DZ39T3Republican from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes but only grants and not loans.

 @9DX74BL from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

No, but more opportunity for lower income students AND lower interest rates for student loans

 @9DRR95T from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only for those who are most qualified

 @9DNSY32 from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

University should be more affordable in general

 @9DBZTXP from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

It shouldn't be pay for everybody's tuition, should be a meritorious aspect or give better payment options with low rate interest. But nothing for free. As everything should be a sort of exchange.

 @9D85FZJRepublican from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only for programs where there is a need for skilled workers.

 @9D6R3Z8  from Washington D.C.  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only if we cut equal spending elsewhere.

 @@IamtherealandonlyOrionSommer from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, and professors need to be tested every two years on teaching ability.

 @96Q58TP from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

The Federal Government should aid the people and work to find a way to lower the average tuition of public education.

 @96PL54JLibertarian from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

I think the institution of college should be reexamined as it's core function of higher educational attainment is at odds with career development. These need to be split somehow.

 @96LKDTFRepublican from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but lower college costs and make student debt forgivable

 @96CMW7P from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but pay for two year community college.

 @969YP99 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but more importantly they should make it possible to earn a living (and above) wage without a college education

 @95XMGVSDemocrat from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

The government should offer free community college and vocational programs, but not entire four-year university degrees.

 @95TDG7T from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes but only for public universities and there should be tuition reforms

 @95L9YXGLibertarian from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but provide free college for public service

 @94VDFR4 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, for those who have good grades

 @94BM6B5 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but there should be requirements. People who are great in school and want to further education shouldn’t have to pay thousands of dollars to go

 @93YYYMM from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes. In exchange for a period of public service. But college in the US is a scam. There are plenty of honorable and meaningful occupations in the trades, too.

 @93PPGSB from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No but it should be cheaper to attend college with more opportunities for scholarships and funding

 @93ND4K2 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Further education should be cheaper all around

 @93GMGZB from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but interest rates should be lower, and there should be more scholarship opportunities for low income students. The cost of higher education should also be reduced overall

 @93F69QZ from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but there should be an increase in trade skill schools to increase competition, lower tuition rates, and get more young adults in the workforce.

 @937MX3NIndependent from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, other countries do it and a individual graduates with a degree debt free. However the taxes are higher which contributes to the free education. I am okay with that. I don't want to be

 @937HKB2 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but after a careful understanding of how this might affect schools' incentives to increase prices.

 @92W485L from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but they need to crack down on the loan servicer's that rob students, as well as figure out a way to regulate the pricing of tuition.

 @92QVV7K from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Increase funding to public schools, make them control how they’re spending the money and how much students are being charged, be more strict with student loans and lower their interest.

 @92QMQHD from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but only after significant reform to the college system.

 @8ZYWGJXRepublican from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, provided that the government can reduce the overall cost of a Bachelor's Degree

 @8ZRVZHMIndependent from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but provide tuition at two-year and community colleges

 @8ZNTV26 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

College bad

 @8ZF9ST9 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

yes, but only partial so not as a whole but enough that students aren't in immense debt

 @8ZD4NZ6 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

College shouldn’t make u spend your life paying it off

 @8ZCMH6P from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes and no. They need to do SOMETHING to alleviate student debt. Owing 80,000 and more for choosing to obtain a college degree so you can do a job that requires a certificate that you went to school for 4 years is ridiculous. Certifications after that don’t cost nearly as much but then still take chunks of your time up. Plenty of people my age are unable to get their own house because of student debt. And that’s a blow to mental health as well.

 @8Z4KQ95 from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes. Full tuition for public universities, partial tuition for private universities.

 @8YW29WNIndependent from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

They should lower the prices overall. Their funding is what increased it to begin with.

 @8YHLJT8Peace and Freedom from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes and No but more scholarships should be provided for those with low income

 @8YC9CTW from Washington D.C.  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but expand ROTC programs that will cover student’s four year tuition in exchange for military service.

 @8XR5GJQDemocrat from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

No, Colleges costs should be far lower, but it's not the federal government's job to foot the bill. Instead, We should incentivize schools to lower their cost and give more scholarship opportunities to lower-income students.

 @8XPQTXX from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes and the state government should provide public colleges

 @8WJ4T88Green from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

Lower tuition so it’s more accessible

 @8WHKJHT from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

There should be a cap on the portion of income required for tutuon

 @8WD8ZK8Libertarian from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

No but college tuition prices are way too high and basically a monopoly.

 @8VS3BF8Independent from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

The government should only provide education benefits if you have given service to the government. The GI bill is a prime example, but should be extended to all government employees, if you give 4 years to the government, they should provide you with higher education.

 @8TRW5ZK from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

No, they should cap the cost public universities can charge for degrees

 @8TDJG9W from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, for state and local schools.

 @8T32XLDDemocrat from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, but only for all families at or under the $200,000 mark for annual household income.

 @8SYWXDFProgressive from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, if it is a public college or university.

 @8SK57VFIndependent from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

As long as that doesn't hurt my pockets.

 @8SH3CDJ from Washington D.C.  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, but make it means tested

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