In a free competitive situation the government if it wanted to give value to higher education while hobbling other competitive items would make higher education

In a free competitive situation the government if it wanted to give value to higher education while hobbling other competitive items would make higher education at state schools somewhat free thus reducing the competitive edge of for-profits while also reducing the debt load per student which spurs job creation because more college graduates can afford to start businesses and startups.. At least in the USA the main reason why college is not free is that the major debate in congress occurred during the years after Vietnam Veterans returned and US congress people had a cultural bias towards giving those returning from Vietnam and those who did not fight in Vietnam a 'free college education' and like all political laws very hard to over-turn through a renewed debate..