For centuries, the promise of education has been the cornerstone of a free and prosperous society. Thomas Jefferson envisioned a nation where every citizen had access to knowledge, believing an educated populace was essential to democracy. Yet, despite decades of public schooling, America’s education system has failed to deliver on this promise. Graduates emerge underprepared, student debt cripples economic mobility, and the dream of education as a true equalizer remains unfulfilled.

The problem isn’t a lack of funding—it’s a flawed model. We’ve been telling Americans that education is an “investment in their future,” but most people are terrible investors. Just as the average person shouldn’t day-trade stocks or flip houses without expertise, expecting families and young adults to make optimal, high-stakes education decisions is unrealistic.

The Solution? Let Professionals Invest in Human Potential

What if we treated education like any other high-return industry? Imagine a system where schools and investors—not taxpayers or indebted students—bear the financial risk and reap the rewards. Here’s how it would work:

• Schools Become Investors – Instead of charging tuition, institutions fund a student’s education in exchange for a small percentage of their future earnings.
• Aligned Incentives – Schools profit only if their students succeed, driving them to provide career-relevant, high-quality education.
• No More Student Debt – Graduates start their careers unburdened by loans, free to innovate, spend, and invest in the economy.

The Math Doesn’t Lie

Consider this: The average cost to educate a child through K-12 and a four-year degree is roughly $250,000. Over their lifetime, a college graduate earns approximately $2.5 million—a 10x return on investment. That’s an annualized return of 4.7% over 50 years, a stable and attractive yield for any investor.

Under this model, education institutions would compete to maximize their students’ earning potential—meaning better curricula, stronger career support, and a relentless focus on outcomes. The result? A wealthier, more skilled workforce, a more dynamic economy, and a happier, debt-free population.

A Win for Everyone

This isn’t just theory—it’s the logical evolution of education in a free-market society. By treating students as valuable assets rather than passive consumers, we can:

✔ Eliminate the student debt crisis
✔ Drive innovation in education
✔ Boost lifetime earnings for all Americans
✔ Strengthen the economy through smarter investment

The choice is clear: We can cling to a broken system that leaves millions behind, or we can embrace a market-driven approach that aligns success for students, schools, and society. The future of American prosperity depends on getting this right.

It’s time to invest in human potential—the right way.

What do you think? Should education be funded by future earnings rather than debt? Share your thoughts in the comments!