Instigator / Con
3
1533
rating
18
debates
36.11%
won
Topic
#4036

The government should provide free college education

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
0
12
Better sources
2
8
Better legibility
1
4
Better conduct
0
4

After 4 votes and with 25 points ahead, the winner is...

AustinL0926
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
4
Time for argument
Three days
Max argument characters
5,000
Voting period
One month
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Pro
28
1636
rating
33
debates
93.94%
won
Description

Self explanatory

Round 1
Con
#1
One of the main arguments against free college education is that it would be too costly for the government. According to a report by the American Enterprise Institute, the cost of providing free college education to all students in the United States could range from $70 billion to $90 billion per year (McKay, 2016). This is a significant amount of money, and it would likely need to be funded through higher taxes, which could be unpopular with many taxpayers.

Another argument against free college education is that there are already programs in place that can help to make college more affordable for low-income students. For example, the Federal Pell Grant program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students, and there are also a number of scholarships and other financial aid programs available. These programs can help to make college more affordable for those who cannot afford the full cost of tuition, and may be a more targeted and cost-effective way to address the issue of college affordability.

There are also concerns that free college education could lead to overcrowding at colleges and universities. If college becomes free, it is likely that more students will choose to enroll, which could lead to a shortage of space and resources at colleges and universities. This could lead to a decline in the quality of education, as there would be more students per instructor and 
less individual attention for students.

Some argue that free college education could lead to a decline in the value of a college degree. If college is free, it is possible that more students will choose to enroll, even if they are not academically prepared or motivated. This could lead to an increase in the number of students who struggle to complete their degree or who do not perform well academically. This could lead to a decline in the value of a college degree, as employers may become less likely to view it as a reliable indicator of knowledge and skills.
In conclusion, there are several arguments against the government providing free college education. 
It would be costly, and there are already programs in place that can help to make college more affordable for low-income students. It could also lead to overcrowding and a decline in the quality of education, and could devalue the value of a college degree. While the idea of free college education may be appealing, there are significant drawbacks that should be considered.

Additionally, there are some who argue that free college education could have negative impacts on the higher education system as a whole. For example, it could lead to a decline in funding for colleges and universities, as they would no longer be able to rely on tuition revenues to cover their costs. This could lead to a decline in the quality of education and resources available to students.

Another potential issue with free college education is that it could lead to a decline in the number of private colleges and universities. Private colleges and universities often rely on tuition revenues to cover their costs, and if college becomes free at public institutions, it may be difficult for private 
institutions to compete. This could lead to a decline in the number of private institutions, which could limit the options available to students.

Finally, some argue that free college education could discourage students from pursuing higher education in certain fields. If college is free, it is possible that more students will choose to pursue degrees in popular or lucrative fields, even if they are not truly interested in those subjects. This could lead to a decline in the number of students pursuing degrees in less popular or lower-paying fields, such as the arts or humanities. This could have negative consequences for society, as these fields can contribute to a well-rounded and diverse educational landscape.

In conclusion, while free college education may seem like a good idea on the surface, there are a number of potential drawbacks and negative consequences that should be considered. It could be costly for the government and taxpayers, and could lead to a decline in the quality of education, a decline in the number of private colleges and universities, and a decline in the number of students pursuing degrees in certain fields. These are all important factors to consider when deciding whether or not to implement a free college education program.

References:
McKay, D. (2016). The High Cost of Free College. American Enterprise Institute. Retrieved from https://www.aei.org/publication/the-high-cost-of-free-college/


Pro
#2
I. Resolution Analysis 

1. Definitions (from Merriam-Webster) 

Government: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization 

Should: used in auxiliary function to express obligation, propriety, or expediency 

Provide: to supply or make available (something wanted or needed) 

Free: not costing or charging anything 

College: an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree 

Education: the action or process of educating or of being educated 

2. Interpretations 

Immediately, upon reading the resolution, ambiguities become clear. In particular: 

  • What is “the government”? 
  • Does “college” refer to all colleges? 
  • “Provide free college education” to whom? 
I will assume that the answers to these questions (since CON failed to clarify in the description) are: 

  • The US government 
  • Only public colleges 
  • To students in need
I am aware that the last assumption may be criticized by CON. However, I will lay out a three-point defense for why this assumption makes sense. 

a. Students from low-income families 

Much of the debate around free college education revolves around the unfairness of student debt to students from low-income families. 

It makes sense, when thinking of free college education, to focus on students truly in need. CON’s case is based on strawmanning free college for the entire US college system, an unrealistic system that would only magnify inequalities. 

b. Status quo 

Currently, the US awards need-based grants to students in need – this is certainly one form of government-provided free college education, so I have no idea why CON thought mentioning it would possibly help his case. 

c. Maybe you shouldn’t have made the resolution so ambiguous 

Recall the definition of provide: “To supply or make available (something wanted or needed)” 

Clearly, by the definition of provide, the US is hardly obligated to make college free for everyone. Instead, it could make college free for only those who truly need it. 

3. Winning conditions   

PRO must prove that the US should provide free college education (to students in need) 

CON must prove that US should not provide free college education (to students in need) 

4. Scope  

CON, in his resolution and description, has not stated that college should be free for all students - only that it should be "provided". Reasonably, I can assume that the resolution is whether free college should be provided by the government at all. 

As such, I will be focusing on grant-based programs, which give free college education to students in need. 

II. Constructives 

In this section, I will show why the US should keep its current free college education programs – in particular, the Pell Grant program.

First of all, the Pell Grant program provides free college education (for many students in need). On average, it provides $4312 to students attending 2-year public universities, the most common type. [1] In most states, the cost of tuition and feeds (combined education costs) is below that, thereby making a Pell Grant a government-provided free college education for many students. [2] 

Second of all, the Pell Grant program is beneficial for the US. According to the nonprofit organization Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [3],


“By expanding college access, Pell Grants help narrow the postsecondary achievement gap between low- and moderate-income students and those of greater means.  They boost college enrollment, reduce drop-out rates, and improve student outcomes.  By enabling students to work less and take more courses, they also help accelerate graduation and improve college completion rates.” 
Furthermore, the Pell Grant program also avoids some of the most commonly cited problems with universal free college, including the high cost to taxpayers. By only giving targeted financial aid to those who truly need it, the Pell Grant program reduces inequality, benefits graduates in the long-term, and increases the share of educated workforce in America as a whole. 

III. Conclusion 

In this round, I have: 

  • Analyzed the resolution, and shown my interpretation 
  • Demonstrated why my interpretation is more reasonable 
  • That is, the interpretation that the government should provide free college – to whom? - of course, those who truly need it 
  • Demonstrated how current need-based free college programs benefit the US 
I will rebut my opponent's arguments next round. I look forward to my opponent’s response. Vote PRO! 

IV. Sources: 


 




Round 2
Con
#3
Forfeited
Pro
#4
I. Rebuttals 

“One of the main arguments against free college education is that it would be too costly for the government. According to a report by the American Enterprise Institute, the cost of providing free college education to all students in the United States could range from $70 billion to $90 billion per year (McKay, 2016). This is a significant amount of money, and it would likely need to be funded through higher taxes, which could be unpopular with many taxpayers.” 
CON’s argument assumes fully funded college for every student in the US, in contrast to the plan I showed, of government-provided free college for students in need only. 
In 2021-22, the US government spent a comparatively paltry $25.9 billion on Pell Grants. In addition, this government investment generates a high rate of return, in the form of a more educated workforce. 

“Another argument against free college education is that there are already programs in place that can help to make college more affordable for low-income students.” 
Extend R1 – CON’s strawman plan for the government assumes providing free college to all students, in contrast to the more reliable and cost-efficient plan I showed. 

“There are also concerns that free college education could lead to overcrowding at colleges and universities. If college becomes free, it is likely that more students will choose to enroll, which could lead to a shortage of space and resources at colleges and universities. This could lead to a decline in the quality of education, as there would be more students per instructor and less individual attention for students.” 
Under the current Pell Grants program, colleges appear to be doing just fine. According to the Natural Center for Education Statistics, the average student-to-faculty ratio in colleges and universities is 14-1. 

“Additionally, there are some who argue that free college education could have negative impacts on the higher education system as a whole. For example, it could lead to a decline in funding for colleges and universities, as they would no longer be able to rely on tuition revenues to cover their costs. This could lead to a decline in the quality of education and resources available to students.” 
Current student aid programs allow the government to pay the cost of tuition, rendering this irrelevant. 

“Finally, some argue that free college education could discourage students from pursuing higher education in certain fields. If college is free, it is possible that more students will choose to pursue degrees in popular or lucrative fields, even if they are not truly interested in those subjects. This could lead to a decline in the number of students pursuing degrees in less popular or lower-paying fields, such as the arts or humanities. This could have negative consequences for society, as these fields can contribute to a well-rounded and diverse educational landscape.” 

Round 3
Con
#5
Forfeited
Pro
#6
Extend.
Round 4
Con
#7
Forfeited
Pro
#8
Extend. Vote PRO!