The Rising Cost of College Education in America
This essay examines the escalating cost of higher education in the United States, where tuition and fees at some private institutions exceed $50,000 per year, leaving students with six-figure debts. The paper considers a potential solution modeled on European countries that offer free college tuition, outlining both the benefits — broader access and a more competitive workforce — and the significant drawbacks, including increased taxpayer burdens and concerns about academic aptitude. Ultimately, the essay argues that rising college costs disproportionately harm the middle class and calls on policymakers to seek balanced, effective solutions.
- The College Cost Crisis: Skyrocketing tuition leaves families in deep debt
- The Case for Free College Education: European model offers broader access and equity
- The Hidden Costs of 'Free' Tuition: Tax burdens replace tuition bills for everyone
- Who Should Go to College?: Aptitude and alternatives challenge universal college access
- Conclusion: A Call for Policy Action: Middle class squeezed; policymakers must act
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What makes this paper effective
- The essay presents a balanced argument, acknowledging the appeal of free college tuition before systematically addressing its practical drawbacks — a classic problem-solution-complication structure.
- It grounds abstract policy debate in concrete, relatable financial stakes (six-figure debt, second mortgages, $50,000-per-year tuition), making the argument accessible to a general audience.
- The inclusion of a cited outside source (McArdle, 2010) adds credibility and introduces a counterintuitive perspective on the European model.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates concession and rebuttal: it genuinely acknowledges the merits of free college tuition before pivoting to explain why the proposal creates as many problems as it solves. This technique shows intellectual honesty and strengthens the overall argument by anticipating objections.
Structure breakdown
The essay opens by establishing the problem (escalating tuition costs), proposes a solution (free college modeled on European systems), then dedicates the bulk of its body to complications — hidden tax costs, fairness to non-college taxpayers, and questions of academic aptitude. It closes with a brief call to action directed at policymakers. The structure is linear and easy to follow, suitable for a short persuasive essay at the high school or early undergraduate level.
The College Cost Crisis
The costs of a college education in the United States are spiraling out of control. Tuition, room, and board at some private institutions exceed $50,000 a year. Financial aid can help defray costs, but some students still find that out-of-pocket expenses are far greater than their financial resources can cover. In some instances, families raid their savings accounts or assume second mortgages on their homes. Students may find, upon completing an undergraduate degree, that they have six-figure debts that will take decades to repay. Rising costs of college have outpaced inflation and salaries, with tuition hikes occurring virtually every year. What can be done?
The Case for Free College Education
In some European countries, students do not pay to attend college — institutions of higher learning are free. This model may offer a solution to the dilemma of high college costs that the U.S. government should consider. It would allow students to attend college without placing severe financial burdens on their families. Without financial barriers, more students would be able to pursue education beyond high school. A more educated population would also make Americans more competitive in the global marketplace.
The Hidden Costs of 'Free' Tuition
Unfortunately, this solution creates as many problems as it appears to solve. In the first place, free education is not truly free. The financial support needed for faculty, support staff, and all expenses related to facilities must come from somewhere. If students and their families do not bear the burden directly, they will have to bear it indirectly in the form of higher taxes. All large-scale government programs must be funded with taxpayer dollars; there is no other way to cover costs.
Taxpayers who do not attend college, or who do not have children who attend college, will very likely be unhappy about tax hikes designed to cover the cost of "free" college education for all. Students and their families would likely view higher taxes as a form of forced savings, but people without children would probably not share that view. Higher taxes would not serve as forced savings for these individuals — they would represent added expense that could create real hardship for some households.
Conclusion: A Call for Policy Action
There are pros and cons to the argument for providing free college education to all citizens in the United States. One's stance on the issue is likely a reflection of personal circumstances. A college education can, in some cases, cost more than a home — traditionally considered the biggest purchase one would make in a lifetime. If costs continue to escalate as they have, college will be available only to the very wealthy and, perhaps, to the very poor who receive generous financial aid packages. The middle class may be left out of the equation entirely.
The high cost of college is, and will continue to be, a serious problem in the United States. The nation's policymakers should look carefully at possible solutions that could help students and their families manage this growing financial burden.
Reference
McArdle, Megan. "The High Cost of College." The Atlantic, 23 Sept. 2010, www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/09/the-high-cost-of-college/63445/.
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