In a new post at the College Conservative, Elizabeth Marcello examines the idea of “free” college.

Over the past several years, young Americans have faced the daunting economy upon completing their undergraduate degrees and after being thrust into a seemingly jobless country. Underemployment hast stifled development and innovation. Tuition, room and board, and general living expenses are a nightmare to the current college student, never mind the high interest rates we will face upon repaying our loans. Quite frankly: American college students are panicking.

Across the sea, Germany has abolished its tuition fees, making college education completely free. How surreal? It was only natural that young people here in America stopped and said, “Wait, why not us? Why do I have to pay?” Of course, the absence of tuition is incredibly appealing to any student trying to get a great education, especially in an economy that isn’t at its best.

But that’s just it. With the absence of tuition fees, no one will be getting a free college education that is actually great, or even decent. Logically, here is what free college will look like in America: If public colleges were to abolish tuition fees, we would be kissing the quality of our education goodbye.

I attend the College of William & Mary, a public institution in Williamsburg, Virginia. William & Mary is considered to be a “Public Ivy League” school, meaning our academics are just as strong as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc. Currently, the tuition fees for William & Mary account for 43.1% of the operating revenue. Funds from the state of Virginia only account for 13.4% of such revenue. The school’s revenue is applied largely to the payment of the professors here, along with the services offered to the students here and other general maintenance tasks.

I’m lucky that I’m receiving such an amazing education and at a state-level cost. But if we stop paying tuition, who picks up the burden? It is not possible to rely on donations, so will does the state of Virginia then foot the bill? Or will the federal government pay?