Shouldn’t education be a right, not a privilege?
Imagine a world where every person, no matter their background or financial status, had the opportunity to pursue higher education without the crushing burden of debt.
This vision isn’t far-fetched—it’s a world that values education as a public good rather than a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
But beyond the immediate benefits to students, free college can create a ripple effect that positively impacts communities, economies, and future generations.
At its core, the argument for free college is about fairness, opportunity, and the long-term wellbeing of society.
As the costs of higher education continue to rise, the barriers to entry grow higher for those from low-income and marginalized communities.
1. The crushing burden of student debt
In the U.S., the student debt crisis is nothing short of alarming. As of 2022, more than 43 million Americans are grappling with a collective $1.6 trillion in student loan debt.
This burden weighs heavily on young graduates, many of whom are unable to start families, buy homes, or invest in their futures because of their loan repayments.
The NYT highlights that student loan default rates are notably high among those who attend for-profit colleges and don’t complete their degrees, leaving them with debt but no improved job prospects.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, women and Black students are particularly affected by student debt.
Black borrowers, in particular, often start their careers with significantly higher debt than their white counterparts and struggle to pay it off because of lower median incomes.
This burden grows over time, leading to a widening wealth gap that affects not only the borrowers but their families and communities as well.
In fact, women, especially Black women, are among the most likely to take on large amounts of debt, with Black women holding the highest average loan balances at around $11,000
Personally, I think this is unacceptable.
Education should open doors, not close them with the heavy chains of financial obligation.
By making college free, we can ensure that students aren’t trapped in a cycle of debt before they even start their careers.
Instead, they could graduate debt-free, ready to contribute to the workforce and society without the looming pressure of repayment.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if our brightest minds could focus on innovation and progress rather than worrying about their financial survival?
2. Equality of opportunity
Education is supposed to be the great equalizer, a way for anyone to improve their situation and build a better life.
But the reality is far from that ideal.
The current system of debt-financed college education exacerbates existing racial and economic inequalities.
Demos reveals that Black and Latino students are not only more likely to borrow for college, but also more likely to drop out with significant debt, particularly at for-profit institutions.
Nearly 4-in-10 Black borrowers leave college without a degree, which traps them in a cycle of debt without the earning power to repay it.
This leads to long-term financial struggles, including difficulty saving for retirement, purchasing homes, and achieving economic stability.
This reality makes it clear: free college isn’t just about eliminating costs; it’s about giving everyone, especially marginalized groups, an equal chance to succeed. Education should uplift, not trap people in debt they can’t escape from.
Imagine a society where every student, regardless of financial background, had the same access to education.
Free college would allow more students to pursue their passions, explore new ideas, and prepare themselves for the future without worrying about how they’re going to pay for it.
It’s about creating a level playing field where everyone has the same chance to succeed, and where your background doesn’t determine your future.
And personally, I believe this is key to fostering a more just and equitable world.
If we continue to allow wealth to dictate who can access higher education, we’re reinforcing systems of inequality that harm us all in the long run.
3. Building a stronger, more innovative workforce
Free college is also an investment in our country’s future.
With technology, healthcare, and other fields evolving rapidly, we need a workforce equipped with the skills to meet these challenges.
Free college would encourage more students to pursue higher education, resulting in a more educated, capable population.
A well-educated workforce is essential for economic growth and innovation, making it clear that the benefits of free college would extend far beyond the individual.
Think about it: When more people are able to attend college without worrying about costs, we increase the pool of talented individuals who can contribute to sectors like engineering, healthcare, education, and technology.
These are the fields that drive progress. Free education could lead to breakthroughs in science, medicine, and social innovation that would benefit everyone.
4. Breaking the cycle of poverty
One of the most powerful effects of free college is its potential to break the cycle of poverty.
For many low-income families, sending a child to college is simply not an option.
Even those who are academically qualified may be discouraged from applying because of financial concerns.
When college becomes inaccessible, it perpetuates poverty, limiting social mobility.
By making college free, we offer students from disadvantaged backgrounds a real chance to improve their lives.
Education can be the key to breaking free from poverty, providing students with the qualifications they need to secure better-paying jobs.
This ripple effect can uplift entire communities.
Free college doesn’t just change individual lives—it transforms entire families and neighborhoods by offering a path out of poverty and into stability.
5. A shift in national priorities
The argument against free college is often based on concerns about cost.
But if we shift our national priorities, free college could become a reality without straining public finances.
For example, the U.S. spends hundreds of billions of dollars annually on defense.
A portion of that could be reallocated to fund education, a critical investment in the future of our society.
Moreover, by offering free education, we could reduce the long-term costs of social services, healthcare, and even crime prevention, as education is strongly linked to higher income, better health outcomes, and lower crime rates.
It’s time we reconsider how we spend our resources as a nation.
Education is not just a cost; it’s an investment that pays off in countless ways—economically, socially, and culturally.
By prioritizing free college, we can ensure that the next generation is prepared to tackle the challenges of tomorrow and help create a more prosperous and just society.
A vision for the future
The argument for free college goes beyond finances—it’s about building a better, more just society.
It’s about recognizing that education is not a luxury; it’s a necessity in today’s world.
Every student deserves the chance to learn, grow, and contribute to their community without the fear of lifelong debt. By making college free, we can unlock the potential of millions of students, strengthen our economy, and create a more equitable society for future generations.
As we move forward, the question shouldn’t be, “Can we afford to make college free?” but rather, “Can we afford not to?” Education is the foundation of progress, and by investing in our students, we are investing in the future.
Let’s build a world where college is free, where every student has the opportunity to succeed, and where education opens doors instead of closing them.