Free Tuition for All

Olivia Rodrigues

February 19, 2025

8C

Should the government provide free college education?

Not all students and families can afford college, but it is widely recognized that it is necessary. The government provides public elementary and high schools, so it shouldn't be any different from college since it's a new chapter of life. The government should provide free college, as it will eliminate student debt while reducing social inequality and problems.




Free college education will eliminate student debt. According to a study published by “research.com - University & Colleges” & “madeinca.ca - Student debt statistics in Canada”, over 1.7 million Canadians have student loans, 420 000 in Ontario. While in the United States, the loan debt reached $1.56 trillion in 2020, impacting 45 million borrowers. Student loan debt places a significant financial burden on individuals, affecting their mental health & financial stability. It will limit graduates' ability to spend, save & invest, which affects overall economic growth & productivity. This is an issue public colleges could effortlessly eliminate in no time. By offering free college, the government can effectively eliminate student debt.




Proving free college will also reduce social inequality. A study highlighted in “FutureEd.org” found that the adoption of such programs led to an 8.5 to 15% point increase in 11th graders’ expectations of attaining an associate or bachelor’s degree, most gains among students from low-income families. Free college will reduce social inequality by making higher education accessible to students from low-income families, potentially closing the earning gap between high school & college graduates. Giving people this opportunity may increase the workforce & allow them to pursue their passion, as they pursue professional careers.

Despite these factors, it could be argued that free college will decrease the value of a college degree. Since everyone can afford one, it may become a more commonplace & lower salary, for those who have bachelor's & those who graduate. But, more access doesn’t mean lower quality. If college were free, it wouldn't lower the value of a degree. In fact, it could enhance their worth. With more people having access to higher education, there would be greater opportunities to develop essential skills. A degree would still carry value because it demonstrates dedication & knowledge. Therefore, the more people go to college, the entire nation benefits by becoming educated & able to handle challenges. Some countries like Germany & Finland, offer excellent free college education, proving that free college would simply provide a chance to earn quality without student debt or social inequality & problems.



In conclusion, the purpose of free college education is to make higher education accessible & affordable for all students, reducing financial barriers & promoting social equality & an educated nation. Education helps give individuals the tools they need to participate in social & economic life & is key to the social & economic development of a society. Free college will reduce the chance of affecting financial stability & mental health, & making social inequality less active, as everyone now has an equal shot. The government should provide free college education to ensure equal access to opportunities, promote social mobility, & invest in a well-educated workforce that benefits society as a whole.

References: 

Blair, Nicole. (2025, January 3). Student Debt Statistics In Canada from https://madeinca.ca/student-debt-canadastatistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Canadian%20Federation,other%20sources%20is%20much%20higher.

Bouchrika, Imed.(2025, February 17). Should College Be Free? The Economic Impact of Free College for 2025 from https://research.com/universities-colleges/should-college-be-free

Edghill, Andrew. (2022, June 29) The Power of “Free” College: Reducing Racial and Socioeconomic Inequalities from https://www.future-ed.org/the-power-of-free-college-reducing-racial-and-socioeconomic-inequalities-in-college-expectations/






Comments

  1. Selma222February 27, 2025 at 8:48 AM

    yes yes yes yes

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM

    This is a strong and thoughtful argument! You backed up your points with solid facts and connected them to real-life impacts like mental health and social inequality. I really liked how you addressed the counterargument too—it showed balance and confidence. Your conclusion wrapped everything up nicely and made the message clear.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM

    I like how all your points were really specific and exact. I like how you used numbers to prove your point. I have a question about if you are talking about colleges or colleges and universities. I also like how you were addressing everybody's economic status and how it would help everybody. Your point got through nicely and it was really clear.

    ReplyDelete

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