Free College Is Changing Lives
The federal free community college program has completed its second year with remarkable results: enrollment is up 30%, completion rates have doubled, and the demographics of college students increasingly reflect the diversity of America.
The program, which covers tuition and fees for students maintaining a 2.0 GPA, has removed the single biggest barrier to higher education for millions of working-class Americans. Students who would have been priced out of education are now earning degrees and credentials that lead to better-paying careers.
Results by the Numbers
- Enrollment surged 30%, with the largest increases among students of color and students over 25
- Completion rates jumped from 28% to 56% as students freed from financial stress could focus on learning
- 73% of graduates found employment in their field of study within six months
- Average earnings for graduates increased by $12,000 within two years of completion
"Education has always been the great equalizer in American life," said a college president. "Making it free removes the last barrier and opens the door to the American dream for everyone."
