Tuition-Free College Education

One of the things making the news rounds this week is the fact that German universities are tuition-free. I found this rather odd news, because I was under the impression that a university education in Germany (and many other countries) had ALWAYS been free. I know that when my parents studied there in the 1970s (hence why I was born there), the only expenses they had to worry about was rent and food, which part-time jobs easily covered. So I was a bit puzzled as to why it's current news.

Then I read a few of the articles and learned that almost a decade ago, Germany had decided to implement tuition. Still incredibly low by US standards-- around $600/semester. But this move was so unpopular that the states that had implemented this started revoking it.

It's simply mind-boggling that a college education is becoming more and more out of reach for your average American thanks to skyrocketing tuition costs. I took a look at how much it would cost if Todd were attending UCSB right now-- and the tuition/fees alone add up to almost $14,000/year. That's for an in-state resident attending a public university. I don't even want to think about how much private school costs.

It really makes going to school in a place like Germany (where the tuition-free model applies to international students, too) very attractive. You just have to learn the language :-)  In fact, when I was winding down my active duty tour and starting to get ready to apply to graduate school, I considered staying in Germany for my graduate studies.

The rationale behind free or low tuition is that education is the great equalizer. Your family's current economic status does not have to dictate how far you will go in life. You can go on to college, unburdened by debt, and make something of yourself. It's great! Contrast that to the staggering amount of debt with which American college graduates start their careers. Makes you question if it's even worth it, especially depending on the school, the major, and potential job prospects afterward.

I think the US could definitely learn a thing from countries like Germany in this respect!

I'm posting every day in October as part of the 31-Day Writing Challenge. Click here to read more about it and to see the rest of my posts this month!