Final answer:
Without public colleges and government involvement, college enrollment would likely decrease, particularly among students from low-income backgrounds. Public colleges and government assistance programs play a critical role in enabling access to higher education, as seen in the California Community Colleges system. A look at global trends like Denmark's almost universally free college suggests that government support impacts enrollment patterns significantly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of how many students will enroll in college with no public colleges and no government involvement is complex and multifaceted. In the United States, public colleges and government subsidies play a significant role in making higher education accessible to a wide range of students. The availability of public colleges and government assistance, such as grants and low-interest loans, greatly increases the number of students who can afford to attend college. Historical data has shown that lack of affordability is a barrier that prevents over 100,000 high school graduates from enrolling in college. Government policies and affordable college education are essential to ensure that the increasing number of high school graduates can pursue higher education.
Without public colleges and government support, it's likely that college enrollment would drastically decrease, particularly among students from low-income backgrounds. The statistics from community colleges provide a clear example of how government-funded institutions support higher education for a diverse population. In California, the large higher education system that serves a diverse array of students and offers free education to nearly half of the student population exemplifies the benefits of government involvement.
Additionally, the global perspective shows varying trends in college enrollment, with countries like Denmark offering almost universally free college leading to different enrollment patterns. Considering these factors, if the United States were to remove public colleges and divest from higher education, the number of students enrolled would be expected to decline, exacerbating existing inequalities in access to education and potentially undermining the country's economic and social fabric.