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A new Pew Research Center poll released on Wednesday finds that Americans continue to have negative views of higher education.
More than three-quarters of Republicans and about two-thirds of Democrats say colleges and universities are on the wrong track. What’s especially troubling for higher education is that these views have gone up among both parties by at least 10 percentage points since 2020. The gap between Democrats and Republicans with this opinion has also narrowed.
While these concerns aren’t new, they come at a particularly turbulent time for colleges and universities, which have been working to communicate the value of a degree and to rebuild public trust. Institutions are also contending with a Trump administration that seeks to exert greater control over higher education.
“Amid rising costs and ongoing debates about the role of colleges and universities in the U.S., Americans have grown more negative about the state of higher education,” said Kim Parker, Pew’s director of social and demographic trends research, in a news release from the nonpartisan research center. “Seven-in-ten now say it’s headed in the wrong direction, and the public gives colleges and universities low marks in several key areas.”
About half of respondents rated higher education institutions as doing only a fair or poor job preparing students for well-paying jobs, offering sufficient financial aid, and developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Seventy-nine percent of respondents said colleges and universities aren’t keeping tuition affordable.
The poll highlighted one bright spot: About 1 in 4 respondents said institutions are doing an excellent or very good job at advancing research and innovation. This is important given cuts by the Trump administration to research grants and funding.
The poll gives college and university leaders plenty to consider as they respond to Trump and the negative ratings.
Higher ed stories from Chalkbeat
Two Colorado students want to make it easier to get admitted to a state university — Two teenagers have pitched a ballot measure that could alleviate student stress by making the college admissions process easier.
CU Denver and Aurora partnership highlights growing statewide trend to make admissions easier — Only about half of Colorado high school graduates go to college, and many question the cost and whether college is right for them.
Colorado colleges serving students of color will lose millions from Trump cuts — The cuts will affect two-year colleges and schools that enroll more students from rural communities the most.
What We’re Reading
Mesa president on the next 100 years, skepticism of higher ed and why he’s glad he’s not at Harvard Colorado Public Radio
Colorado’s oldest college was founded before it became a state. Do you know what it is? Fort Collins Coloradoan
CU Boulder makes top 100 “Best Colleges” Axios Boulder
Already battered by cuts, researchers and colleges face federal shutdown impacts Inside Higher Ed
Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.
