Is college too expensive in America compared to European countries?

[ImSoCool599]

I always hear how Europeans "get to go to college for free" and I was curious as to how true this is. As far as I am aware, here in the US college can be more of a luxury for many rather than a right. What is it like in Europe?

[Triple G]

Depends. However, even if the actual "university" is free - it doesn´t mean that the housing situation is free, or that You get food for free.

[Le fishe au chocolat]

Opprinnelig skrevet av ImSoCool599:

I always hear how Europeans "get to go to college for free" and I was curious as to how true this is. As far as I am aware, here in the US college can be more of a luxury for many rather than a right. What is it like in Europe?

They have to pay more taxes though. The professors don't work for free, you know.

[Xero_Daxter]

I have a PhD in Gender Studies and I can’t find a job. :(

[Hooch]

There are several federal and state financial aid programs that many students qualify for. Some states offer free tuition for recent hs graduates or grants to anyone going back to school (Oregon for example). Then there's FAFSA for grants by the federal govt.

College is way more expensive than it ought to be in the US. It's absurd. But for those who do research beforehand, they can either get free tuition or significant help (both education and housing) while attending.

[Thisha]

Humanity should be ashamed that education is still not free for everyone.

I'm not saying anybody should be allowed to do years over and over or try a bunch of directions for free but the base, even university should be free as knowledge is key and every child should know it will have the same chances as everybody else.

[MinionJoe]

Nothing is free.

It all depends on who's actually paying the cost.

[Chaosolous]

It’s been too expensive since the mid Aughts. Part of the reason I didn’t bother with higher education.

Too expensive and those loans were predatory AF.

[Xero_Daxter]

Might as well make everything free. Free food, free housing, free cars, free healthcare, free guns, and free freedom.

If everything was free then no crime will be committed because things are free. It’s a win win. Mwhahahaha. (Joke)

[Triple G]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Xero_Daxter:

Might as well make everything free. Free food, free housing, free cars, free healthcare, free guns, and free freedom.

If everything was free then no crime will be committed because things are free. It’s a win win. Mwhahahaha. (Joke)

Works for small communities in which everyone knows everybody. Could even work on a global scale, when we see money as a tool to make it possible. But doesn´t work when there are many countries, or cities, or people, which compete with each other for profits, to be better than another - or to fight for survival.

[AD]

In my country its free to go to the university (no tuition fee or BS like that), but most people take loans and you are expected to pay those loans back. Tax money finances some of the universities, of course, but honestly, I dont mind. It was thanks to my studies I took myself out of a dark hole I was in, I would be a hypocrite if I didnt want others to have the same chance as I did.

The loan isnt that bad. Like from what I heard from the US, the loan in my country is much, much lower and you can be quite flexible with paying them back.

[ナルゴ]

It is not free. Also you don't need it. It is in fact a luxury.

[Hooch]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Nargo:

It is not free. Also you don't need it. It is in fact a luxury.

This depends on the area of interest one wants to build their career. Many jobs/careers require degrees (teaching in schools, medical, law, science, etc.).

[ナルゴ]

I meant like in general to have a well paid satisfying career. If you want to enter a specific specialized field, then yes a degree for getting your foot in the door helps. Hence, luxury.

[Triple G]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Nargo:

I meant like in general to have a well paid satisfying career. If you want to enter a specific specialized field, then yes a degree for getting your foot in the door helps. Hence, luxury.

If You want to make money, or a career - You need an university degree. Simple as - else Your only chance for "career" is to be self employed - in which You compete with the guys who are specialized in some field, and have academical degrees.

And of course making more money than poverty is luxury - but it depends on definition.

[Voroff]

Opprinnelig skrevet av ImSoCool599:

I always hear how Europeans "get to go to college for free" and I was curious as to how true this is. As far as I am aware, here in the US college can be more of a luxury for many rather than a right. What is it like in Europe?

Europe's big, son. A lot of countries that each have it's own rules about how to teach.

You willing to know ? Go on a site of a radom uni' of a random country and try to see how much it is to apply.

Here in france it depends on your cursus : a chemistry class will cost more than a botany, because chemical reagents and cleaning supplies and glass beakers and all the lot cost more than mere seeds and soil. But per year it should be between 500 and 1500 euros, inscriptions included, paper documentation and copies included, food at the cantina not included, books not included => at your charge. And you still have to make some living.

The main exceptions being High Administration classes and big Economics classes, wich cost two arms and a leg to register, follow and be able to postulate to the exams.