Free Community College With the 2016 election on its way, whether or not students should receive free community college has become an endless controversial debate. It is estimated that the number of students currently enrolled in community college is about 7.4 million, with each student paying an average $3,500 per year for tuition (Hosansky). Many students are attending community colleges instead of a traditional four-year university in order to reduce the treacherous mountain of student debt, about $39,950 on average, that they face once they graduate (Konczal). Because of the large amount of debt that students are facing, President Barack Obama has requested that students get free community college as long as they meet certain requirements:
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According to Hosansky in Community Colleges, “Research shows that while 81 percent of first-time community college students begin taking classes with the goal of earning a bachelor's degree, only 16 percent succeed within six years” (Hosansky). Studies also show that students that feel isolated, enroll late, or feel discouraged due to their placement in remedial classes drop out at a higher rate (Hosansky). Students are already dropping out of college at a high rate, and there could be a possibility of even more drop outs without the extra incentive of having to pay. On the other hand, some would say that free community college could possibly encourage underfunded students to enroll. Those who are in favor of offering free community college say that with easier enrollment comes a higher educated population, and according to Gerardo E. de los Santos, president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College, “Community colleges are critically important to the future of the United States with regard to economic viability and preparing a middle class that's going to be globally competitive” (Hosansky). Clearly with more access to community college, society as a whole will benefit. While we might see a higher enrollment rate due to free tuition, it doesn’t guarantee a higher graduation rate due to the amount of dropouts
According to Hosansky in Community Colleges, “Research shows that while 81 percent of first-time community college students begin taking classes with the goal of earning a bachelor's degree, only 16 percent succeed within six years” (Hosansky). Studies also show that students that feel isolated, enroll late, or feel discouraged due to their placement in remedial classes drop out at a higher rate (Hosansky). Students are already dropping out of college at a high rate, and there could be a possibility of even more drop outs without the extra incentive of having to pay. On the other hand, some would say that free community college could possibly encourage underfunded students to enroll. Those who are in favor of offering free community college say that with easier enrollment comes a higher educated population, and according to Gerardo E. de los Santos, president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College, “Community colleges are critically important to the future of the United States with regard to economic viability and preparing a middle class that's going to be globally competitive” (Hosansky). Clearly with more access to community college, society as a whole will benefit. While we might see a higher enrollment rate due to free tuition, it doesn’t guarantee a higher graduation rate due to the amount of dropouts