The average debt at graduation from public and nonprofit colleges was $29,900 in 2019. As a university student myself, I have experienced how tuition throughout America is expensive and costly. Students continuously come out of school drowning in debt, which can be really stressful for students when they’re in the midst of finding their first jobs and finding what career path they want to go down. This is why universities should be free.
Making U.S. tuition free will help end excessive student debt and stress.
Students would be able to focus more on their studies rather than worrying about how to scrape together enough funds for each upcoming school term. As a result, more of them might graduate on time, ready to take on important jobs in their communities. A better-educated population could result in smarter decision making at every level of society, which could lead to faster progress in solving our most difficult, collective challenges. Through better employment and elimination of the struggle for basic needs, people would concentrate on the higher aspects of life, such as improving administration and management of the issues that impact society in general. Studies have shown that graduating with high amounts of student loan debt has been shown to reduce a person’s chances of owning a home, getting married, having children and accumulating wealth. An article on NationalDebtRelief.com stated that “Carrying student debt can ripple into other areas of a student’s life. It extends to macro-economic levels and carries as well possible repercussions on the same level. Student debt is not only about making the monthly payment and ensuring a steady employment. There is more to having student loans than just making monthly statements.”
Opponents of free college tend to believe that such an idea would simply be too expensive for the federal and state governments to maintain long-term. As a result, Americans may have to start paying much higher taxes, and that, they say, could hurt the economy since people might have less to spend or invest.
At least seven other countries globally offer successful free public education; some of these countries include Germany, Norway and Denmark. Why can’t it work in the U.S.? Free education could be very beneficial for all students throughout the country. Students have an easier time paying for books and living expenses if tuition is waived. Offering free college tuition makes college accessible to all students, not just those with the means to pay for it. I understand that not everyone needs to take out student loans, but there is also a large number of people in this country who can’t afford to go to college and, therefore, never get the opportunity to do so. I would even be open to ideas and restrictions regarding free tuition, such as the student must maintain a certain GPA in order to be eligible for free tuition.
Make U.S. tuition free and watch how students prosper from it.
Alex Young is a Senior Communications major with a minor in Media and Culture. AY903749@wcupa.edu