Commentary
Europe’s free university model is often seen as a triumph of modern society. With no crushing tuition bills, minimal student debt, and a promise of equal access, it sounds ideal. In countries such as Germany and France, students pay only a small administrative fee, typically between $200 and $500 a year, compared with the staggering tuition costs in the United States or the UK. Many also receive financial aid in the form of grants that don’t need to be repaid, or low-interest loans based on need.
