Daniel Galitsky
One of the key campaign elements that has so strongly ignited support for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, particularly among the youth, is the proposal of nationwide free public university education. Under examination, this plan threatens to compromise the best aspects of the American university system while failing to solve any real problems.
Needless to say, the most obvious issue is the expense. Tuition for all public college and university students totals $70 billion per year. Most of this would be added to the federal budget, which already struggles with serious deficits year in and year out. Sanders plans to pay for this through a tax on financial transactions. The consequences of this tax would be complex and unclear. However, let us assume that this tax will work smoothly.
Under the current congressional districts, the GOP likely will control the House of Representatives for the foreseeable future. Even if Sanders were able to win the election, these issues would leave the plan dead on arrival. Let us also assume that Sanders’ plan could be politically viable. Even after all these fatal obstacles, it remains a dangerous mirage.
America has some of the best universities worldwide, with 51 of the top 100, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Many of our stellar colleges are public flagship state universities such as this university. More than 800,000 foreign students studied in universities in the United States in 2014. Overhauling the entire pubic university system would jeopardize the best of what we currently have more than it would improve access for deserving students.
Sanders’ 2015 College for All Act would enforce more stringent federal regulations on public universities. Increasing regulations will hinder these institutions from operating in a way that best suits their unique situation. The significant degree of autonomy that public universities currently have is a key to their success because it allows them to compete in the classroom, in the lab and on the field.
Many wealthy European countries offer free or cheap college tuition to their citizens. However, the role of college is not quite identical in their cultures. They tend to have less emphasis on campus life, and most students live in urban apartments or at home. As almost purely educational facilities, universities in Europe offer far fewer amenities than American ones. This makes it more feasible for the government to cover
the costs.
The best way to control costs of higher education is a change in culture to one that is more open-minded to a more diverse array of higher education options. More emphasis on trade schools and training for plumbers and electricians is needed. For much of the population, K-12 should suffice as an academic liberal arts education.
The horror stories of people racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars of student debt are not because of students attending in-state public universities. These cases tend to be ill-advised enrollments in expensive private colleges. A moderate level of debt incurred from attending the local flagship university is not a problem if that school helps students launch a solid career.
The focus should be on making sure that students and their families are properly informed when choosing a college. President Barack Obama’s administration has focused on this with the “College Scorecard” program. This will lead to financially sound decisions and more efficient competition among colleges. Colleges will not be able to lie to prospective students and will have to cut expenses in order to compete. If information about career outcomes and graduation rates for colleges is standardized and available, lower debt outcomes should result.
The answer to the student debt and educational access crisis is not to exert top-down control and throw money at the problem. A combination of less drastic changes can maintain the national treasures that our universities are while allowing a greater number of worthy students to benefit.
