system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: “Free College” policy, while well-meaning, is largely incompatible with academia in the U.S

Unlike healthcare, there is competition in the higher education market and consumers can, and often do make well informed decisions about what education would be right for them, be it community college, state schools, or private colleges/ universities. 

There’s no two ways about it: such a policy would be enormously expensive, and unlike the U.S healthcare system, prices are reasonably transparent and there is competition in the market. Most students know exactly how much financial aid they will get before the accept college decisions, and transparency like that should always be encouraged.

I think a better solution would be one that matches student debt repayments, keeps interest rates low, and forgives student loans to varying levels dependent on ones income. In other words, high earning doctors and lawyers who make 6 figures a year can and should repay a higher percentage of their loans than nurses and teachers, who provide essential services to society, but typically don’t earn enough to repay their student loans quickly. 

Is there some reason why free college is favored over more reasonable policies that take into account the finances of students and their incomes as adults?
gpt
Settling people with debt for decades or even a lifetime is a bad thing, economically speaking, and only really benefits the institutions doing the financing. It reduces the spending they will be able to do throughout their life, which overall reduces economic activity, which you do not want.  
Furthermore, educating the population is an investment a society can make into itself. A college educated person isn't only benefiting themselves because they personally can earn more money that way, they also become available as workers in your country. In contrast to attracting foreign talent, (which the US currently is very good at, but might not be as good at forever) domestic talent doesn't have to be courted, but is already in place.