Specializing in Policy Analysis and Research on Postsecondary Education in Maryland

Mike’s Musings

President Obama deserves credit for bringing the conversation about access to higher education to a new level with his proposal to cover tuition for community college students.  Until recently, the notion of “free college for all” was absent from the national agenda.  But the idea is now generating interest among policy makers.

To  be sure, Obama’s plan has little chance of gaining traction in Congress. The heightened partisanship on Capitol Hill is a major reason, even though the White House based its initiative on a program promoted by Tennessee’s Republican governor that will use lottery money to pay community college tuition for that state’s graduating high school  seniors.  Concerns and questions raised by skeptics in the media and the higher education community (especially by those outside two-year institutions) about  Obama’s plan also will slow consideration of the concept.

But Obama’s vision will set the stage for a robust debate about whether the government should guarantee a certain amount of education beyond high school for citizens much as it does now with universal elementary and secondary schooling.  I predict that it will eventually.  By fits and starts, the trend toward widespread participation in higher education has been moving for more than a half century.  Before World War II, higher education was the preserve of men, whites, and the wealthy.  The passage of the GI Bill in 1944, which was motivated by concerns that the economy would struggle to absorb the large number of returning veterans, opened college doors to millions.  The adoption of Pell Grants in 1972 and subsequent student aid programs has further promoted educational access for countless low income students.  Obama’s proposal marks another milestone in the ongoing discussion of whether higher education is primarily a private benefit or a public good – that is, whether the costs of higher education should be borne primarily by individuals or collectively by the taxpayers.

The country’s projected workforce needs in the 21^st century suggest that those advocating the latter position have the stronger argument.  Studies show that a large number of the new jobs that will be created in coming decades will require some education beyond high school.  Many of these positions, however, will not necessitate a bachelor’s or graduate degree.  Individuals who earn a community college credential,  or even just complete a series of occupational courses, will contribute to the building of a vibrant economy.  So it makes sense to begin any “free-college” plan at two-year institutions.

A criticism of Obama’s proposal is that it is not necessary because community college costs are already low, especially compared with tuition and fees at four-year campuses or at for-profit institutions.  Community colleges are indeed less expensive, but they are not cheap.  The average full-time tuition and fees at community colleges nationally in 2014-2015 is approximately $3,300.  This figure does not include other costs associated with college attendance.   Relieving  community colleges students of tuition and fees would benefit those from low to moderate income families the most.  Community colleges serve large percentages of the lowest income students, as  well as sizable numbers of racial  and ethnic minorities and working adults (especially women).  As “open admissions” institutions, anyone can enroll.

Even in the absence of Congressional action, Obama has performed  a great service in making the idea of “free college” worthy of consideration.  To the extent that such a policy step would make college a reality for those who would not or could not attend otherwise, it would benefit America in the long term.  It is to be hoped that the idea sparks interest in states beyond Tennessee.  States serve as “laboratories” of experimentation in our federal system.  Maryland’s elected officials should take a close look at it.  It represents an investment for the future.