There has always been talk about having the United States change their ways and have college be free for students. There are many pros and cons to having college be free. Many people believe that college should be free, but there is a select few who would disagree and that’s not just the government. There are many facts that support both side of this confrontational conflict. After reading this blog you could see some interesting facts that might sway your opinion.
Let's start off with a fact a lot of people may know 83% of Americans claim that they cannot afford college. Americans still recognize the value of a college education, so they tend to find ways to manage the cost so they can go. With managing, paying for college is one way of learning how to have a budget and save money. It helps students figure out how to handle their finances as well.
A fact that a lot of people might not know. Alone the United States of America has over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. Where is all this money even going!? Over 70% of students end up taking loans out for college. After ending their college career, the average graduate ends up $30,000 in debt. And this problem just keeps getting worse as years go on.
There are at least 5 countries that have notice this as a problem and changed their ways to make college free. Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, and France. So far Norway is the only school where no matter what degree you are you don’t have to pay. Finland and Sweden let students who are attending for a doctoral degree go for free, but other majors have to pay. Germany has a lot of opportunity for American students to go for free, but not all of Germany colleges are free. And France is all based on your family income. All these countries are doing this because they don’t want to be drowning in debt.
With the rise of debt, the rate of depression and suicide has raised along with it. There are many cases where students and recent graduates have killed themselves, and multiple have attempted suicide because of the weight their student loans give them. And not to mention there are even more students and graduates suffering from depression, anxiety, and other distress.
College is a time when you express yourself and put in all your effort and go for something you are passionate about. The current price of college really drives the students to complete school and reduce their debt. If the higher education became free, it would make the college degree not as important. It could possibly lead to students cutting more of their classes or not try because they don’t have to worry about money.
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