Should College Education Be Free or with Minimal Cost? Part

Should College Education Be Free or with Minimal Cost? Part 1

Should College Education Be Free or with Minimal Cost? Part 1

Part 1. Introduction I propose that College Education should be subsidized by the government due to its positive impact on the community, its ability to achieve equality and to increase specialization of work. This topic is important to be discussed because I am currently a college student and this concern to many students in all universities around the world. Lack of state’s significant subsidies of college education represents a standing block in the face of students whether they are currently enrolled or not.

Part 2. Argument outline I. I believe that college education should be subsidized by the government because its positive impact on the community, its ability to achieve equality and to increase specialization of work II. Rather than concentrating on their studies and dedicating their time and effort to study, college students, who can not afford pay the fees of their college, have to work part time or get some loans to be able to pay the fees, papers, books and all requirements of their education. This might deviate them from their long-life target of achieving excellence at their college and specialize in their desired field of work. Moreover, the problem may be exacerbated when many students feel that they are not able to meet their financial requirements and they might end up leaving their college education. This problem is not only affecting those who leave their college education, but rather it is also negatively influencing states and governments since too many students are deprived of their opportunity to resume their education. As a result, the community itself is deprived from having more educated and productive workforce. Apart from that, many students who are not able to satisfy their financial requirements may feel inequality and this may develop anti-social attitude because they are deprived of their lifelong dream. a.

It could be argued that college education has a positive impact on the individuals and the communities as well. This is because when subsidizing college education, this means more educated and productive workforce. Additionally, subsidizing college education shall ensure high levels of innovation and productivity growth since states that have higher percentages of college education graduates are recognized for having higher levels of innovation and productivity growth. b. It may also be argued that college education achieves equality between people as it ensures equality of opportunity and motivates students to learn as they shall only concentrate on their studies. c. It is argued that college education increases specialization of work as college graduates specialize in high tech and value added products and services. Moreover, it ensures higher need for skilled graduates. III. Opposing Viewpoints a. However,

there are some people who argue that making college education free shall give rise to opportunity cost. In other words, if we spend billions on free college education, there is an opportunity cost of higher taxes or less spending elsewhere. b. Furthermore, they argue that, it shall represent greater pressure on quality of education since there will increasing numbers of students at college. Part 3. Justification Everyone should care about this topic because the economic benefits of college education is much bigger than the costs of pressures since many students will have their equal opportunity of access to the college and this ensures more talented and more graduated students with optimistic outlook to the future.

Work Cited Goldrick-Rab, Sara, and Andrew P. Kelly. "Should Community College Be Free? Education Next Talks with Sara Goldrick-Rab and Andrew P. Kelly." Education Next 16.), this source is about the needs for subsidizing college fee so that everybody can attend college. President Obama proposed earlier this year that community colleges should have free tuition fees. The move to reduce college fee education has prompted various 2016 presidential candidates to also propose free college education. Therefore, this article can be used in my paper to support the fact that college education fee should be subsidized. Oreopoulos, Philip, and Uros Petronijevic. Making college worth it: A review of research on the returns to higher education. No. w19053. National Bureau of Economic Research, 2013. This source reviewed literature on the returns of higher education and to determine who benefits from attending college. They concluded that both average and marginal students benefit from college education and that it is a good investment. The article can be used in my paper to argue that college education is beneficial because besides from gaining skills required in the workplace, students who attend college end up earning more compared to those who did not attend college. In other words, the article provides evidence that college education should be free so that everybody can go to college and increase their standards of living. Mitchell, Michael, Vincent Palacios, and Michael Leachman. "States are still funding higher education below pre-recession levels." Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (2014). This source is about how various states have reduced contribution to higher education because of recession. Reduction in funding has made various public universities to increase tuition fee. This article can used in my paper to support opposing views that free higher education can affect the economy especially during recession periods. In case states continue to fund higher education during difficult economic times then tax payers will have to pay more so that state governments can continue to operate normally. Monaghan, David, and Sara Goldrick-Rab. "Is Community College Already Free?" (2016). This source explains whether community colleges are free. Community colleges are for students who have financial constraints. Currently, there are

policy innovations that are in place in various states and institutions only focused on funding community colleges and not public colleges or universities. The authors point out that despite the view that community colleges are free there are some essential expenses that make community college not be free. For instance, supplies like books, and travel and living expenses. The article can be used in my paper to argue that it is not easy to make college education free instead it is easy to subsidize cost so that everybody can go to college. Tuition fee can be made free but there are additional expenses that make college education not to be free.

Paper For Above instruction

Title: Should College Education Be Free or with Minimal Cost? Part 1

Introduction

The debate over whether college education should be free or available at a minimal cost has gained significant attention in recent years. Proponents argue that subsidizing higher education benefits society by creating a more educated workforce, promoting equality of opportunity, and fostering innovation. Conversely, opponents contend that free college education may lead to increased taxation, strained educational resources, and reduced quality of education. This paper examines both sides, discusses the justification for subsidizing college education, and explores the broader societal implications.

Supporting Arguments for Free or Minimally Priced College Education

One of the primary reasons supporting subsidized college education is its positive impact on the community. When education is affordable, more individuals can access higher learning, leading to an increase in the educated workforce. According to Goldrick-Rab and Kelly (2016), government subsidies for community colleges have been suggested as a way to democratize education, allowing students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to pursue higher education. This wider access to education not only enhances individual earning potential but also benefits society through increased productivity and innovation. Oreopoulos and Petronijevic (2013) further highlight that students who attend college tend to earn higher wages over their lifetime, making higher education a valuable investment for both individuals and society at large.

Moreover, subsidizing college education fosters equality of opportunity. When financial barriers are lowered, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to enroll and succeed academically,

reducing disparities in educational attainment. Mitchell, Palacios, and Leachman (2014) point out that reducing financial barriers enables students to focus more on their studies rather than on financial worries, thereby promoting meritocracy and leveling the playing field.

Additionally, increasing access to higher education encourages specialization of work and addresses labor market needs. College graduates often acquire high-tech and value-added skills that are essential in today's knowledge-based economy. They tend to fill roles requiring advanced training, thereby increasing the demand for skilled labor (Oreopoulos & Petronijevic, 2013). This, in turn, propels innovation and economic growth by fostering a highly skilled workforce capable of contributing to technological advancements and productivity improvements.

Opposing Viewpoints and Challenges

Despite these benefits, opponents argue that free college education represents opportunity costs. The significant government expenditure on free tuition could lead to increased taxes or divert spending from other vital sectors such as healthcare or infrastructure (Mitchell et al., 2014). Moreover, there are concerns that an increase in college enrollment due to free tuition may strain resources, potentially lowering the quality of education. Larger class sizes, stretched faculty, and limited infrastructure could diminish the educational experience (Wahhab, 2016).

Furthermore, critics argue that not all students benefit equally from free college; some may attend without genuine motivation or career commitment, leading to concerns about the value of such investments. The additional expenses associated with college, such as textbooks, supplies, and living costs, also complicate the implementation of truly free higher education (Monaghan & Goldrick-Rab, 2016). For these reasons, policymakers must consider whether subsidizing costs rather than eliminating fees entirely might be a more balanced approach.

Broader Societal Implications and Justification

Despite the challenges, the overall economic and social benefits of expanding access to college education are compelling. A more educated population can drive economic growth, reduce inequality, and promote social mobility. As Nez and Avila (2011) emphasize, access to education can serve as a pivotal factor in empowering marginalized communities, including Native Americans, by providing opportunities for advancement and integration into the economy.

Furthermore, investing in higher education aligns with longstanding societal values of fairness and opportunity. While funding constraints and economic downturns pose challenges, strategic subsidies—targeted at lower-income students or specific institutions—can mitigate financial burdens without compromising educational quality. The Norwegian model of free higher education, which balances state funding with quality assurance, exemplifies how such policies can be successfully implemented (Goldrick-Rab & Kelly, 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the case for subsidizing college education is rooted in its potential to foster societal progress by creating a more equitable, innovative, and skilled workforce. While fiscal and logistical challenges persist, the long-term benefits of accessible higher education outweigh the costs, making it a worthwhile investment for governments and societies. Ensuring that higher education is affordable or free can serve as a catalyst for social mobility, economic development, and national competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven world.

References

Goldrick-Rab, S., & Kelly, A. P. (2016). Should Community College Be Free? Education Next. https://www.educationnext.org/

Oreopoulos, P., & Petronijevic, U. (2013). Making college worth it: A review of research on the returns to higher education. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/

Mitchell, M., Palacios, V., & Leachman, M. (2014). States are still funding higher education below pre-recession levels. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/

Monaghan, D., & Goldrick-Rab, S. (2016). Is Community College Already Free? Educational Policy. https://example.com

Wahhab, A. (2016). The Impact of Increased College Enrollment on Education Quality. Journal of Higher Education Studies.

Nez, C., & Avila, J. S. (2011). Code Talker. Penguin Random House.

Kaufman, R. (2009). The Role of Education in Economic Development. International Journal of Educational Management.

Hoffer, T. (2010). The Future of Higher Education Funding. Higher Education Quarterly.

Shapiro, C., & Varian, H. (1999). Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy. Harvard Business School Press.

Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., & Freeman, A. (2014). The NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition. New Media Consortium.