Free College Tuition: The Good,

The Bad, and The Ugly

By: Carter Johnson
ENG 102
Arizona State University
Abstract

• For this project, I plan on discussing the debate over whether or not college
tuition should be made free. College tuition is increasing every year forcing
many students to drop out because they can’t cover the high costs. Free
college tuition has been a huge debate for many years reaching its height in
the 2016 election when that was the motivation for Bernie Sanders presidential
run. The topic is still a huge debate and this presentation gives facts on both
sides. This argument influences many individuals, not only the people
attending college. This presentation will allow people to see the outcomes of
free college tuition and college without free tuition.
College Tuition Today

• What Colleges Charge for Attendance

• Average Cost in 2017-2018*
• Private: $34,740
• In-State Public: $9,970
• Out of State Public: $25,620

What's the Price Tag for a College Education?

(n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2018, from
https://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleI
d=10064
* Not Including room, dining, books, etc.
Bernie Sanders Plan

• College For All Act

• Would eliminate tuition and fees at public four-year universities for students
from families make up to $125,000 a year
• Community College tuition would be free for all income levels

• Catalyst for 2016 Presidential Campaign

• 54% favorability rating from people between the age of 18 to 25
People Who Would Be Affected By Free Tuition

• Taxpayers
• Private Colleges
• Politicians
• Lower-Income Families
Tax Payers
• Sanders Plan proposes that the
government will pay 67% of tuition costs
while states pay the other third meaning
an increase in tax
• A $350 billion income tax boost will
impact American Households
• Tax would hit approximately 23,000
households in New Hampshire alone

• Hendrie, A. (2015, August 14). Hillary's "Free College" Plan Will Raise Income Taxes on
23,000 New Hampshire Families. Retrieved March 20, 2018, from
https://www.atr.org/hillary-s-free-college-plan-will-raise-income-taxes-23000-new-
hampshire-families
Private Colleges

• Is not Included in Free Tuition Plan

• Will loose number of enrolled students due to public college being free
• Students may be forced to go to a larger college with many more students
even if it doesn't fit their comfort level
• Student success could decrease in these students

• In New York, Fordham University student enrollment would drop 10% and
lose $10 million in revenue from decrease in student enrollment

• Norton, V. (2018, March 13). Why Free College is a Bad Idea. Retrieved March 20,
2018, from https://nortonnorris.com/free-college-bad-idea/
Politicians

• The topic of free tuition could greatly

impact elections
• Saw it in 2016 election (Bernie Sanders)
• Free tuition could be used as a platform
for many politicians in the hunt to gain
votes
Lower-Income Families

• Would allow lower-income families the

chance to send their child off to college
• Many students do not go to college
because they do not have the money
needed to cover the costs
• Students wont be overwhelmed with
student debt
• Would improve universities graduation rate
Some Countries with Free
Tuition Today and Tax Rates
• Norway
• Finland
• Sweden
• Germany
• Slovenia
• France
• Denmark
• Jackson, A. (2015, June 25). 'Free' college in Europe isn't really free. Retrieved
March 20, 2018, from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-do-european-
countries-afford-free-college-2015-6
College tuition shouldn’t be free but it should
be reduced
• Average Student debt is $35,000
• Students of lower income families wont
have to take as much money out in loans
but are still able to obtain the degree in
their desired field
• Taxes will not increase as much for
Americans or for families that have already
paid for college or do not need to
Reference Page
• Chingos, M. M. (2016, July 29). Who would benefit most from free college? Retrieved March 20, 2018,
from https://www.brookings.edu/research/who-would-benefit-most-from-free-college/

• Hendrie, A. (2015, August 14). Hillary's "Free College" Plan Will Raise Income Taxes on 23,000 New
Hampshire Families. Retrieved March 20, 2018, from https://www.atr.org/hillary-s-free-college-
plan-will-raise-income-taxes-23000-new-hampshire-families

• Jackson, A. (2015, June 25). 'Free' college in Europe isn't really free. Retrieved March 20, 2018, from
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-do-european-countries-afford-free-college-2015-6

• Norton, V. (2018, March 13). Why Free College is a Bad Idea. Retrieved March 20, 2018, from
https://nortonnorris.com/free-college-bad-idea/

• What's the Price Tag for a College Education? (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2018, from
https://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10064

• Zornick, G. (2017, August 15). Bernie Sanders Just Introduced His Free College Tuition Plan. Retrieved
March 20, 2018, from https://www.thenation.com/article/bernie-sanders-just-introduced-his-
free-college-tuition-plan/