Should College Textbooks Be Free

As it is, there is about $1 trillion in college debt in America. A Philadelphia Enquirer article warns that, “The average debt owed per person is $25,000 -- the highest level of student debt in the nation's history,” and that the number is increased by tens of thousands of dollars for those who go on to get higher degrees. $25,000 is a lot but the reality is that a lot of people have even more than that. For example, what if someone goes to an expensive private college and their tuition is anywhere between 30 and 70 thousand per year. In total they could be paying between 120 and 240 thousand dollars per year. The majority of the country is most likely unable to easily pay for that and could end up with extensive amounts of debt just because they went to the college that they wanted to. Student’s education shouldn’t be compromised just because the school they want to go to has a high tuition. Alarmingly, “Study after study has shown the number one barrier to attending college is the published rate of tuition.”(Lowe) The amount of student debt as a result of a school’s high tuition should decide where people should go to school. If tuition is decreased then simultaneously, student debt would be as well.

You got the letter in your hand. The envelope holds your future. Months of SAT and ACT classes, years of working for that perfect GPA. It all comes down to that one letter, now clutched in your hand. You open it and the first word pops out to you, “Congratulations”. You are finally in college, and that summer you can finally sit back and relax. The bliss ends abruptly though once you start realizing how much college will cost. According to a CBS Money Watch poll, only 0.3% of incoming freshman will get a full-ride scholarship. If you’re the other 99.7%, then college will cost you, which will result in considerable debt. While some argue that college debt is worth it, others argue that this debt is crippling. College tuition should be lowered significantly because it places students under overwhelming amounts of debt.

Just about everyone agrees that college should be more affordable. A century ago high school was becoming a necessity, not a luxury; today the same is happening to college. If college is essential for building a career and being a full participant in our democracy as high school once was, shouldn 't it be free, paid for by public dollars, and treated as a right of all members of our country? The average college graduate comes out of college with at least $60,000 in debt and if they went to an Ivy League should that shots up to upward of $100,000 all this debt before they even get their first real job (“Fast Facts”). This is the burden that students have to worry about and then they only have six months to find a job that can cover they loan payments, which can be as much as a couple thousand dollars a month and most working people can’t afford that. These days it is highly emphasized that the responsibility to educate the poor lies on the shoulders of the government. It should be, considering the significant hike in the tuition fees worldwide. In such circumstances, many intelligent and hardworking students miss out on studying in a university due to lack of funds. This not only demoralizes the student, but also has a negative impact on the society as it loses out on its future professionals.

I personally don't think that college should be free. Students who pay for their college are more motivated, hard working and independent. Many students would have poor motivation to finish school, because they can always come back. As a matter of fact students with ambitions to get university degree are learning much harder in high school than other, who thinks they don’t need an extra paper. There are many students that are so smart, and they will find the way to get money for school. With extra work and help from family students will be able to afford college tuitions. Students need to depend on themselves; otherwise every taxpayer will have to cover their education expenses. There are several reasons why

A lot of people will argue, that college is too expensive. Not everyone can go to college, for financial reasons. Also, they may get into college, but end up having to leave because they cannot afford the remaining balances; or, they received financial aid, but end up having to take out loans they are going to be paying back forever. It is like once they graduate they will be working mostly to pay off their student loan debt. This also discourages some students. In some cases, they will not even take the initiative to try because it is so costly. I do not understand why it cost so much to want to better yourself, and possibly put us in debt for the rest of our life just to receive a higher education. Not only has the cost of college risen over a period of time, but it continues to go up. Yes, they have alternatives for paying student debts, but what if you do not qualify? Lastly, you are not guaranteed a job just because you graduate and have a college degree(s).

Yes, some students may not be able to afford college, but that's what scholarships, and loans are for. A student at Tusculum College said that she struggled daily with money when she was young, and that she was afraid that she would not be able to afford college. She was then awarded several scholarships and grants that covered most of her college tuition. If students really want to be in college, they can start at a lower cost community college and then transfer to a four year college. Another option for students includes college courses offered at the high school level. If students decide to do this, it could save them around a semester's worth of tuition. Also, people say that free college will make students less in debt, but the taxes will still put them in almost as much debt as paying for college. Free college has a lot of negative affects that most people do not realize.

People will find that the authors say, going to college will be worth the expenditures. College is a lot of time and money. Today, college costs nearly $40,000 a year between tuition, rooming, supplies, and extra fees. Although, people may not want to find themselves buried in debt, after attending college. According to “Are We Getting Our Money’s Worth?” written by William Elliott, he states that “relying on student loans as the primary mechanism for financing college is a recent development.” Loans are how college is paid for in today’s generation, “loans have remained the largest form of financial aid available to students,” no student can afford college. Although, some are forced to go if they want to further their education. Owens and Sawhill mention, “the benefits of a college degree far outweigh the costs,” and “more educated workers earn more.” These authors give a valid opinion which people may

College tuition costs more than health care, housing, and transportation; it has even risen past the inflation rate. Supposedly college should make life a little bit easier because it educates a person enough to obtain a higher paying job, this gives them the ability to support themselves. However, if tuition has risen above the everyday things that we use to get around, every day necessities to have a stable life, and the inflation rate, then it is an obvious problem that should be addressed. If this

In 1976, the average cost to attend a four year public university was $2,175; today, the average cost to attend a four year public university is $25,000 (Snyder). This means it is 1150% more expensive to go to college in The United States today than it was 30 years ago. This obviously would create a problem on how we as people are going to pay for our higher education. Today college has become almost a necessity to have a satisfactory life, and with these rising prices some individuals believe student loans are the only option. There are many reasons as to why the prices have risen, but the one undeniable fact is that this has created a problem within our country. Which, is known as the student debt crisis, and it has been on the rise the past couple years. This problem is affecting people all around the United States, and is causing multitude of problems for them all because they wanted to pursue higher education. Wanting to better your opportunities by bettering yourself is not something that needs to be punished, and sadly that is what is happening. This problem is something that needs to be fixed for the sake of Americans and our economy, but will also take time and a multitude of steps to correct.

Debt can make one’s life become a stressful thing. There is a constant worry the debt will continue to grow or dealing with the struggle of having to pay every last penny back plus more. Colleges are finding fewer reasons to lower prices and more reasons to raise prices. The college perspective is understood by many in this matter though. Colleges, as well as any other business, needs to make money also. The affordability of college is the second most important thing about a child’s college education, right below the actual education itself. “… the cost of college will remain unaffordable, tuition will continue to rise, and the 18-year-olds… will ‘get to’ continue paying for college with student loans” (college cost act does not…). Does it really pay off to go to college though?

Additional-ly, they have to transition around their needs, which may lead to new jobs or auxiliary loans. All of these factors hamper students, and even direct them to drop the course. The high priced text-books benefit book-stores, but not the consumers, who heavily rely on certain books to pass rig-orous courses. However, there are alternatives available the students can rely on, such as online textbooks or used textbooks. The best alternative is to buy the book available on Chegg, new or used at a reasonable price. The decisions are now left on students to either find a way to pay for the books, use an alternative, or abandon the class. Textbook prices truly affect students; they are not able to use the book if they are not able to obtain the

One of the main reasons why college textbooks are so expensive is because they are overpriced. The publishers set the prices. The bookstore has no control. The publishers of the textbooks are in the habit of bringing new editions quite frequently. Most students hesitate to buy old editions fearing that they will miss out on

To most people college is their goal at succeeding in life. Whether you get a scholarship or pay yourself, college is expensive. To some it is a waste of time and money due to the fact that, graduates are not getting their money's worth in their degree, they are burdened by student loans, and their degree does not guarantee them a job. With that and a growing tuition rate, most people can't afford a higher education. College is simply not worth the cost anymore.

When it comes to purchasing a textbook, "a hardcover full-color textbook [can] cost $200 or more." (Liz Weston). That is about equal to one month of groceries (Michelle OBrien). Having to buy a textbook that costs almost as a month of groceries is ridiculous. With minor changes to new editions of the same textbook coming out every semester or even every year, has students wondering whether to purchase the older edition or the new one. However, if a student wants to purchase the latest edition, how is it possible to purchase the textbook cheaper than what the university or college Bookstore offers. Well, the solution is to purchase it online. "Books can be 20%-40% cheaper on Amazon and Textbook.com." (Michelle OBrien) Therefore, instead of spending $200 or even more on one textbook, a student can save up to 20-40% and sometimes even more on a textbook.

College Education should be free. Initially, my first reason will be about how it manages to help poor students get an education. Furthermore, my second reason will be about how more people would be able to venture onto college. To sum up, my last reason will be that students will have more freedom to choose a major they enjoy. Here is my information to prove this.