The Hechinger Report
States are offering free community college programs to boost enrollment and meet workforce needs, but research shows that free college has had some effect, but not as much as expected. Free college doesn’t cover living costs, and private colleges oppose having to compete with free. Free college programs have widespread support, but they don’t always help students graduate on time and with less debt. While free community college signals progress, there are disparities in attitudes about going to college among people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Free college is a mixed bag, and it’s important for students to do their research and ask about retention and graduation rates….