Confidence in the value of higher ed is growing for the first time in a decade, and Americans from both political parties are on board, according to an annual poll.
Some 42% of Americans reported having “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher ed in 2024, compared to 36% who said the same in each of the past two years, the latest Lumina Foundation-Gallup education survey found.
That’s the highest share since 2015—the year the survey debuted—when a 57% majority expressed confidence. The number of participants with little or no confidence declined from 32% a year ago to 23% today.
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Trust in higher ed rose among both Democrats and Republicans, the latter of whom had been driving declines in confidence over the last 10 years, the survey noted. Attitudes toward higher ed improved among college graduates and non-degree holders.
Support also increased across the sector, with 42% of Americans expressing confidence in four-year schools and 56% in two-year institutions.
Why confidence in higher ed is rebounding
The survey found several reasons behind Americans’ new appreciation for higher education. The biggest perceived benefits include:
- Value of being educated: More Americans believe young people should be informed and that an educated populace benefits society and the economy.
- Provides good training: Higher ed trains students to think for themselves and appreciate different points of view.
- Fosters opportunities: College degrees lead to better and more lucrative jobs, and prepare students to “get ahead.”
- Universities are at the forefront of cutting-edge development: The report specifically notes that “about three-quarters of U.S. adults agree that higher education leads to greater innovation and discovery.”
Respondents said U.S. colleges and universities are the best in the world, though confidence in faculty and administrators declined slightly. Those who said they had less confidence in higher ed cited cost, political agendas and students not being adequately prepared for life after graduation.
Survey respondents said their confidence would increase if colleges and universities were seen to teach more practical skills, if tuition was lower and if political bias decreased.
