Going to college was always framed as the obvious next step after high school. It seemed like the only path to a good job and a nice living, and while it is true that having a college degree is a big help, for many, college is too expensive. With how important to society college is, I believe it should be free.
Even with the help of scholarships and grants, college costs thousands of dollars. Many people are forced to take out loans just to reach higher education, which leaves them with crippling student debt. In families that are less well-off, especially in immigrant families, college is seen as a necessity for success but the price is high and not something that many can afford without a lot of help. Even with covered tuition and housing, there are many other expenses that lead to students having to balance a job with their studies.
There are many jobs that are essential to society that require college degrees. Doctors, for example, are necessary for a healthy society and of course, higher and specialized education is a requirement for the job. To become a doctor one must get a bachelor’s degree and then advance and complete four years of medical school. Although doctors typically make a lot of money, the road there is very expensive and discouraging to many. According to the Education Data Initiative, on average the yearly cost of med school is $59,605. That is a lot of money to pay to try and achieve a career that is essential in society. I don’t understand why someone has to pay so much money to learn something for a job that will benefit everyone.
If college was free, society as a whole would benefit. People who want to go to college and pursue essential careers, but previously couldn’t afford it would finally be able to reach higher education and help make a difference. Free college would mean lower-income people could get degrees and better-paying jobs, allowing them to climb the economic ladder. When everyone is able to afford college, society would become more equal as everyone, no matter the income, has the opportunity to further their education and get a degree. Not having to worry about the heavy college expenses would take a massive amount of stress away from college students. Therefore allowing them to truly focus on what they are learning without the distraction of their financial problems or lingering student debt.
College is an important step for many wishing to make a good living, but the costs turn many away. Free college would lead to a more educated, equal, and stress-free society.
