2 answers
Jade
Student
Little Rock, Arkansas
2
Questions
Asked
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Why is college free in some European countries but not the United States?
A lot of my friends can't afford to go to college and I wasn't able to until a few weeks ago. #tuition
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2 answers
Mark Williams
Director of Global Information Services, Dell
21
Answers
Pflugerville, Texas
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Jade!
I really don't have a good answer for this. The United States does not currently have free tuition, although some colleges may offer special scholarships. I agree with you that this a great question. I think that education is really important and should be available for all.
Best Wishes!
Mark
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Jade,
Many of the countries where college tuition is free have tax structures where the people pay a lot more money to allow for that privilege. Some countries consider services like health care and education as matters for a national government to handle. The US has opted to not go that route. I cannot judge which system is right. Your challenge now is determine how you can best fit into the system in the US. I know that for some young people, there is the option to earn college credit in high school. It is not every school, but I have a friend whose daughter transferred to a high school where she could earn college credit. She left high school and entered college as a sophomore because of the credits she earned. Another way to get help with college is by working at a job that offers to tuition reimbursement. This may mean that you have to wait a few years to get your college degree. Please know that you do not need a college degree right away. Yes, a college degree is a competitive advantage, but you can take one class at a time which can be cheaper as you begin to work.
Gloria
Many of the countries where college tuition is free have tax structures where the people pay a lot more money to allow for that privilege. Some countries consider services like health care and education as matters for a national government to handle. The US has opted to not go that route. I cannot judge which system is right. Your challenge now is determine how you can best fit into the system in the US. I know that for some young people, there is the option to earn college credit in high school. It is not every school, but I have a friend whose daughter transferred to a high school where she could earn college credit. She left high school and entered college as a sophomore because of the credits she earned. Another way to get help with college is by working at a job that offers to tuition reimbursement. This may mean that you have to wait a few years to get your college degree. Please know that you do not need a college degree right away. Yes, a college degree is a competitive advantage, but you can take one class at a time which can be cheaper as you begin to work.
Gloria