Argumentative Topics for College Students

As a college student, finding the right argumentative essay topic can be a challenge. Whether you’re writing for a class, a competition, or personal improvement, having a strong and engaging topic is essential. Below are 100 argumentative topics for college students that will challenge you to think critically, analyze deeply, and argue effectively.

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Education

1. Should student debt be forgiven for all?
2. Are standardized tests a good measure of a student’s ability?
3. Should college athletes be paid?
4. Is a college education worth the rising cost of tuition?
5. Should students be required to take courses outside their major?
6. Should students be allowed to grade their professors?
7. Are college fraternities and sororities outdated?
8. Should textbooks be replaced with digital alternatives?
9. Is the grading system in colleges fair?
10. Should internships be mandatory for graduation?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Technology

11. Should online learning be a permanent option post-pandemic?
12. Are smart devices making college students more distracted?
13. Is technology making students more socially isolated?
14. Should professors be required to allow laptops in class?
15. Are MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) a good replacement for traditional education?
16. Should coding be a mandatory subject for college students?
17. Are e-books better than printed books for learning?
18. Should students be taught how to protect their online privacy?
19. Are tech companies too powerful?
20. Should social media platforms be held accountable for harmful content?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Society

21. Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
22. Is free speech on college campuses under threat?
23. Should there be more support for first-generation college students?
24. Should colleges provide free childcare for student-parents?
25. Is college education becoming too commercialized?
26. Should college students be involved in local politics?
27. Are student loans leading to a generation of debt?
28. Should students be allowed to take gap years?
29. Are trigger warnings necessary in college lectures?
30. Is the pressure to attend college too high?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Health

31. Should colleges provide free mental health services to students?
32. Is physical education necessary for college students?
33. Should fast food be banned on college campuses?
34. Is there too much pressure on college students to succeed academically?
35. Should there be a limit on caffeine consumption for students?
36. Are college students getting enough sleep?
37. Should universities provide better resources for students with disabilities?
38. Is the drinking culture in colleges harmful?
39. Are fitness programs effective in combating student obesity?
40. Should colleges require mental health days for students?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Politics

41. Should voting be compulsory for all college students?
42. Should college campuses be more politically neutral?
43. Is political activism necessary for college students?
44. Should there be more political diversity among college faculty?
45. Is student government still relevant in modern universities?
46. Should colleges offer courses on current political events?
47. Should colleges enforce stricter policies on hate speech?
48. Are protests an effective way for students to create change?
49. Should student political organizations receive funding from universities?
50. Is the political divide in the U.S. affecting college campuses?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Environment

51. Should colleges eliminate single-use plastics?
52. Is recycling on college campuses effective?
53. Should there be more courses on environmental sustainability in college curriculums?
54. Are electric cars a viable solution for reducing campus pollution?
55. Should colleges invest in renewable energy sources?
56. Are students doing enough to combat climate change?
57. Should college campuses go completely paperless?
58. Is meat consumption on college campuses harmful to the environment?
59. Are student environmental organizations effective?
60. Should more colleges offer courses on climate change?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Ethics

61. Should colleges enforce honor codes more strictly?
62. Is cheating in college more common than in the past?
63. Should there be consequences for students who plagiarize?
64. Is affirmative action in college admissions ethical?
65. Should colleges accept donations in exchange for student admissions?
66. Are fraternities and sororities promoting unethical behavior?
67. Should college athletes be exempt from regular academic requirements?
68. Is it ethical for colleges to sell student data?
69. Should professors be allowed to express their personal political beliefs in class?
70. Are student internships ethically exploiting unpaid labor?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Law

71. Should hazing in college fraternities and sororities be criminalized?
72. Should students who commit crimes on campus face stricter penalties?
73. Is the legal drinking age of 21 effective?
74. Should college students have the right to protest without facing academic consequences?
75. Should marijuana be legal on college campuses?
76. Are campus police forces necessary?
77. Should colleges expel students for non-violent drug offenses?
78. Should students be punished for hate speech on campus?
79. Are zero-tolerance policies in colleges too strict?
80. Should there be legal protections for student whistleblowers?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Culture

81. Should colleges teach more courses on diversity and inclusion?
82. Is cancel culture negatively impacting free speech on campuses?
83. Should students be required to learn a second language?
84. Are student clubs and organizations promoting a healthy campus culture?
85. Is social media influencing college culture in a negative way?
86. Should fraternities and sororities be abolished?
87. Are college sports overly commercialized?
88. Should there be more cultural representation in college curriculums?
89. Are multicultural events on campus helpful for cultural awareness?
90. Should students participate in cultural exchange programs more frequently?

Argumentative Topics for College Students in Economics

91. Should college tuition fees be regulated by the government?
92. Is college education a good return on investment?
93. Should students be financially compensated for unpaid internships?
94. Should colleges reduce their reliance on student loans?
95. Are scholarships distributed fairly among college students?
96. Should there be more funding for community colleges?
97. Should colleges be held accountable for their students’ financial burdens?
98. Are part-time jobs beneficial for college students?
99. Should there be a cap on how much colleges can increase tuition?
100. Are student financial aid programs effective?

These 100 argumentative topics for college students offer a wide range of ideas across different fields. Whether you’re debating the role of technology, politics, or social issues, choosing an engaging topic will help you create a compelling and persuasive essay. Dive into one of these topics and start writing your best argumentative paper yet!