America's Educational Opportunity
America's educational opportunity is being eroded by the rapid increase in college/university fees. In public schools, the percentage of published tuition has increased while average household earnings have decreased. Students at the University of California, for example, are priced out of the institution and must either enroll in community colleges or drop out. Meanwhile, because community colleges are underfunded, students are sometimes forced to cut admissions to save money for fees, resulting in them enrolling in high-cost for-profit institutions with low graduation rates (Dwyer, Hodson, and McCloud 38). This scenario, therefore, is an indication that in the present system people end up paying more but the graduates that are produced are few.
The Need for Free Universities
It is crucial to note, however, that the need of university/college to be free is not only a financial concern but also a philosophical and moral matter. We do need not only more educated employees but also more knowledgeable citizens. It is also essential to acknowledge that people with higher education levels show greater degrees of health and happiness (Baum, Ma, and Payea 163). The question that we must all ask ourselves is that; is it in our interest that every American, not minding their social status, should have an equal chance to become what they are potential? The middle class and the poor have experienced eroding social mobility, and if a straightforward and affordable way to access valuable higher education for everybody is not found, the joint goodwill and intelligence of the country might also be eroded leading to a more socially divided America.
A Historical Perspective
History confirms that there truly was a period in this nation when public colleges were free. The Morrill Act of 1862 facilitated the formation of land-grant colleges by states on federal plots to avail higher education to Americans in all social classes. Currently, only approximately 40% of Americans who join universities or colleges finish their studies and graduate successfully (Archibald and Feldman 213). That is a representation of a massive wastage of money and time. If only would a student not have to labor for money, while in school, there would be drastic improvements in the graduation rate, and learners would also be able to complete their studies in exactly four years as opposed to six or so years that is presently seen.
The Burden of Student Loan
Several graduates in the United States suffer from Student Loan, especially those students who find difficulties in acquiring a job. Additionally, the United States' tuition charges are the highest in the world. Beginning in 1982 under the leadership of Ronald Reagan, tuition has drastically increased throughout the nation. American graduates start loan repayment just within a short time after completing school, and this gives the loaned a sense of looming doom. Alumni in the United States pay 4.5% interest and are expected to settle their loans within ten years (Archibald and Feldman 217). Therefore, they require employees to earn money to pay the debts. But what awaits them are internships, entry-level jobs, and service positions. Absolutely nothing that would pay enough to facilitate loan repayment, leave alone upkeep.
The Benefits of Free College and University
The benefit of free college and university will be felt in the whole country, not just by the student who finds a privilege in it. There will be both public and private gain. In fact, most of the employment opportunities today are mainly knowledge-based or have a requirement of innovative technical skills. A more educated workforce would, therefore, be useful in feeling the several skills gaps that have slowed down the United States' economic growth. Moreover, credentials needed by employers will be met by many people, and this will enable individuals to acquire well-paying jobs (Baum, Ma, and Payea 164). Higher incomes will lead to improvement in expenditure and little or no debts. The amount of money in circulation will also increase meaning that the government will collect relatively more tax to help finance free public colleges.
Education for All
Meanwhile, we should know that European young persons are attaining their visions through reachable education. The nations are also gaining by growing a class of individuals not burdened with debts hence in a position to comfortably and actively participate in the building of the economy (Baum, Ma, and Payea 167). If we have to increase opportunities for future generations, accessible and secure education is essential to society, not forgetting the poor. Having a small section of the population being wealthy and knowledgeable and the huge majority poor and disadvantaged is the beginning of a brutal and bloody revolution. History has proven this repeatedly.
The Need for Free Public Colleges and Universities
There is a need for public college and universities to be free. That is not only due to economic reasons but also moral and philosophical issues. Students faced with financial constraint are dropping out of school or resorting to high-cost for-profit institutions where graduation rates are comparatively low. Also, it is essential to ensure that every American regardless of the economic or social class can access quality education and to pursue their dreams. The free college will benefit both public and private sectors hence not only the students will gain but also the whole nation as a more educated workforce would fill the several skills gaps that have slowed down the United States' economic growth.
Work Cited
Archibald, Robert B., and David H. Feldman. Why does college cost so much?. Oxford University Press, 2014. Print.
Baum, Sandy, Jennifer Ma, and Kathleen Payea. Education Pays, 2013: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society. Trends in Higher Education Series. ERIC, 2013. Print.
Dwyer, Rachel E., Randy Hodson, and Laura McCloud. “Gender, debt, and dropping out of college.” Gender & Society vol. 27, no.1, 2013, pp. 30-55.
