Even when universities are free, they are still not without problems. In Denmark education is free and you even get paid a "wage" when attending university so you don't even have to borrow (as much) money for housing/food.
High schools and universities in Denmark get money per student that passes the exams. If you fail the student, no money for you.
So there is a clear incentive for the schools to admit as many students as possible and lower the level required for passing the exams. Schools have had their "per student" budget cut year after year.
So the level of education today is not the same as 40 years ago. For high school the signalling part has become even more important, so much we lack blue collar workers because people think that kind of education is beneath them. The following question has absolutely the same validity in Denmark as in USA:
> Would you rather have a Princeton diploma without a Princeton education, or a Princeton education without a Princeton diploma?
Some things are not worth it, even when they are free.
High schools and universities in Denmark get money per student that passes the exams. If you fail the student, no money for you.
So there is a clear incentive for the schools to admit as many students as possible and lower the level required for passing the exams. Schools have had their "per student" budget cut year after year.
So the level of education today is not the same as 40 years ago. For high school the signalling part has become even more important, so much we lack blue collar workers because people think that kind of education is beneath them. The following question has absolutely the same validity in Denmark as in USA:
> Would you rather have a Princeton diploma without a Princeton education, or a Princeton education without a Princeton diploma?
Some things are not worth it, even when they are free.