Free College in America Is a Bad Idea. Just Look at Europe

This article appears to be misrepresenting what at least some of the statistics are actually saying. For example, in Germany, the percentage of people with higher education is lower because the system is set up to guide people into trades and apprenticeships, and that path through the education system probably doesn't qualify as "higher education". It's hard to know without digging into the source material, and touting that there are other education options besides college / university wouldn't support the policy attack the article is peddling.

Yeah in Europe the optics between public/private are different.

If you are capable you will be able to pass through public college, because they are independently funded and they have no obligation to let you pass. So it is quite possible to have 300 people in a class on first semester and 100 people with degree after last semester. You passed? Cool we want you.

If you are unfortunate, you go on private college where "you can buy a degree". Does not matter how hard your private college is, this is what society believes that happening at private colleges. However then you will automatically meet distrust at interviews because they will be looking at you as on somebody who has no college degree and usually won't even talk to you. Only reason why private college is a thing in Europe is requirement of government for government officials to have at least Bachelor degree, even that they don't need it for a job. But real employers will be laughing at you.

That's right! The current US system of higher ed is the best, albeit too woke, and needs more free speech. Nothing to be done, especially by corporations or wealthy people! Ordinary citizens need to keep paying for education on their own, if anyone wants education they should earn it, not expect someone else to pay! Learn the value of employment!