Every student dreams of attaining the highest level of education. However, the cost of high education is a major hindrance, and as a result, most students do not proceed past the bachelor’s degree. The government should focus on subsidizing the tuition fee to make quality college education affordable.
Do you know that in some countries, the cost of higher education is almost zero-rated? Germany tops the list of countries where one can pursue higher education at no cost. The public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees, and all that the students have to pay is the administration fee, which is minimal and less compared to what is charged in the US.
Another country where the cost of college education is almost zero is Norway. The Norway government finances education in the country using the taxpayer’s money. Sweden and Austria offer education with no tuition fee. In Sweden, Swedish and non-Swedish nationalities are eligible for the program. If you pursue PHD from any Swedish university, you will get paid for carrying your research work. Besides, several universities in Sweden offer scholarships to the international students.
Higher education in Finland and especially the post graduate and doctoral level, is free. Finally, Spain is another country where you can pursue an undergraduate to doctoral degree at no cost.
Education in the US
When it comes to the cost of education, The US is in a world of its own. The cost of education has been rising more than the inflation rate. Therefore, students looking to pursue higher education in the US borrow student’s loan, which they end up struggling to repay. In fact, the high cost of education in the US is to blame for the student debt crisis that the country is facing.
According to experts, the main reason why the cost of education in the US has risen at rates higher than the country’s inflation, is lack of sufficient support from the Government side. Therefore, the average cost of higher education in the US falls at approximately $70,000.
US Education System Is no Longer Struggling
The US education system can no longer take care of the needs of the average US citizens. Because of the high cost of education, only students from rich backgrounds are able to afford college education without taking a student’s loan. This creates socio-economic inequality, as the students from the poor background have to sign up for up to $100,000 in student loan. Eventually, the students who apply for education loan end up struggling to repay the loan, and finally they are listed as defaulters.
Conclusion
Unless the government comes with measures to control the rising cost of education, the education system in the US will no longer serve the average citizen. The US can borrow from the countries like Germany and Norway, where the taxes are used to subsidize the cost of education. In addition, the government should come up with measures to control the cost of education at the private and public institutions.
- James Kvaal and Jessica Thompson, (2020)Rising Student Debt and the 2020 Election. Carsey Perspectives
- Sarah Feldman, (2019)U.S. Student Debt Is a National Problem. Statista.com