Why should college be free?

[eric_erosfan]

And it's not going to work out as anyone thinks it will.

It will work out for some. Some kids will realize college is not for them. Many people don't realize that AI is changing everything. It is targeting those careers that require the most education and technical training that, in the past, had the power to provide the American dream for a lot of poorer kids. This isn't robots taking over manufacturing jobs so just train everyone to be robotics engineers. Now AI is the robot and the robotics engineer. So with less science and engineering jobs what is left? Sales? We will become a nation of salesmen?

 

[MrsKissit]

Just cuz you have a college degree doesn't mean one is set for life

There are only two things that are a certainty in life. Death and taxes

 

[JohnEngelman]

When a small percentage of the population had college degrees, a college degree in anything would get one a pretty good job. Employers would hire the person with a college degree and train that person. Those days are gone. Employers want employees who will "hit the ground running," as they say.

Before you get a degree in anything, make sure there is a demand for people with that degree.

 

[realmint]

and what about those that graduate debt free (scholarships, grants, being smart with his or her money)

so If I can do it, why can't others?

Free college is, in most cases, like giving out free brain rot. People interest in learning would do well to avoid all the brainwashing BS that has taken over most schools.

 

[Rebel5soul]

When a small percentage of the population had college degrees, a college degree in anything would get one a pretty good job. Employers would hire the person with a college degree and trin that person. Those days are gone. Employers want employees who will "hit the ground running," as they say.

Before you get a degree in anything, make sure there is a demand for people with that degree.

Agree in part.

Let's start with an obvious observation, "That which is free has no value at all." At one time having a High School diploma was considered significant...........no more.

Choosing wisely the path to take is sage counsel, far too many are taking the easy path through college and find themselves flipping burgers at the end.

As Univ. lower admission standards along with graduation requirements the new graduate is going to walk into an increasingly brutal interview environment with prospective employers. As an example, Harvard grads, who once got automatic offers, are now being subjected to in depth interviews and testing. Tier one school grads are NOT getting free passes anymore. This is the direct result of cheapening brands.

 

[PaxNurgle]

So I think, to summarize what people are saying here, if you want the government to invest in "Free" anything, there needs to be a return on the investment. And that "Free" education should not be just "Free college" in general, but rather, focused, job-specific, vocational training. What I would call "ITT Tech Stuff." Nursing, machine tool technology, Computer Aided Drafting, Accounting, Computer Network Engineering, Electrical Linemen, Other Medical related fields (Dentistry, etc) or other trades. Training to actually help people learn a marketable skill, that will land them a productive, paying job, that will in turn allow them to contribute back to the tax base. I would agree with this.

In today's economy, the reality is that someone with only a high school diploma but who is trained as a machinist or RN, will almost always out-earn a Harvard graduate with only a degree in literature, history or political science. Unless, said Harvard graduate takes other classes or training on the side that are specifically career focused.

Good discussion by the way; I wish there were more like this on this forum.