President Biden has proposed making community college tuition-free nationwide, believing it's a better way to tackle college affordability than student loan forgiveness. While a federal plan isn't underway yet, 35 states have implemented programs to cover remaining tuition after financial aid. New Mexico's Opportunity Scholarship stands out for extending benefits to adult learners and immigrants, and has seen a significant increase in college enrollment since its launch.
Higher education still pays off, with college graduates earning significantly more than those with only a high school diploma. However, majoring in certain fields, such as engineering, computer science, business, and health, leads to higher lifetime earnings compared to majors like education, humanities, and arts. So, while a college degree is generally worthwhile, the return on investment varies depending on your chosen major.