Should the government provide free college for students?

As of the early 2020s, college tuition has more than doubled since the 1980s. This had led to more students taking out loans in order to attend college. In order to address this issue, states like New York and Tennessee have implemented “free college” policies that cover the cost in certain situations.

Democratic candidates for president in 2020 proposed several plans for debt-free and tuition-free college at the federal level, with conversations ongoing since that time.

This lesson has students learn about the history and current state of college affordability, analyze the different types of free college and explore the question: Should the government provide free college for students?

BACKGROUND ARTICLES