Is College Tuition Free in the US a Realistic Idea?

When my father attended college, his undergraduate education was free. However, I started my journey at Hunter College with tuition rates at $35 per credit. Taxes were higher then, and the era had not yet seen the economic austerity measures introduced by President Reagan. But could we make college tuition free in the United States today?

Financial Constraints and Politics

Let's examine the current costs: the annual tuition for a public university is approximately $10,000, not including living expenses and other fees. STEM and private institutions demand even more, with figures as high as $45,000 per year.

According to recent data, making college tuition free for public universities would require a funding allocation of over $177 billion annually, which is more than the budget for the U.S. Army and three times that of the U.S. Marine Corps. Even this amount may not be politically feasible, given the political and ideological opposition from various groups, including Republicans, Libertarians, and many Democrats.

Addressing the Challenges

One major issue is whether public universities alone should bear the cost. If all public universities were free, what would happen to private institutions? Private universities generally have higher tuition rates; for instance, a four-year course can cost up to $177,000. Will these institutions survive without such high tuition fees?

While schools like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT might manage, smaller private universities would face significant financial strain. They rely on tuition fees for operational support, and free tuition could cripple them. Hence, the policy must be carefully designed to address these concerns.

Historical Context and Current Debates

The history of college tuition fees in the U.S. is deeply rooted in financial and ideological factors. Prior to the Great Recession of 2008, student loan debt was less than $600 billion. By 2020, this figure had escalated to $1.6 trillion. Much of this growth occurred between 2008 and 2020, and a significant portion of the debt was accumulated by the Millennial generation.

It is important to recognize that the Millennial generation did not cause the financial crisis; they were the victims. In the aftermath of the crisis, wealthy bankers received a bailout worth $700 billion, while ordinary students had to bear the burden of high-interest student loans. Moreover, the simultaneous budget cuts to universities significantly increased tuition costs, leading to the educational debt crisis.

Talking Points and Counterarguments

Many argue that older generations managed to pay for their education through part-time jobs and summer work, citing a time when tuition fees were significantly lower, around $3,000 per year in the 1980s. However, the current cost for in-state and out-of-state students is approximately $35,000 and $65,000 per year, respectively. Even for high-earning professionals, this is a substantial financial burden.

Engineering majors also do not guarantee well-paying jobs, as evidenced by graduates working in retail despite advanced degrees. The oversupply of graduates relative to available jobs further complicates the issue.

Joining the military is another option, although it poses significant risks. The idea of paying for public education and redirecting funds from the military could be a more effective and humane approach. Critics, however, see little ostentation with increased military funding while ignoring the urgent need for educational reform.

Proposed Solutions and Public Policy

To make public universities tuition-free would require an annual cost estimate of $70 billion. By reallocating a portion of the $100 billion Trump added to the military budget, we could allocate the necessary funds. Alternatively, implementing a 1% wealth tax on the top 1% of earners would generate an additional $340 billion in taxes, which could be used for housing, travel, and education.

Additionally, if we were to adopt single-payer healthcare, we could save $1.4 trillion annually. This savings would be more than sufficient to cover the costs of free college, military funding, and infrastructure improvement.

The real challenge lies in the political and ideological stances of politicians and the general public. Are Americans willing to prioritize educational reform over military spending, and are politicians willing to shift their focus to policies that benefit a broader range of citizens?

The question remains: Can we afford free college, and are we willing to make the necessary changes to achieve this goal?