Story Highlights
- 36% have “a lot” or “somewhat” confidence in higher education
- Confidence down from 48% in 2018 and 57% in 2015
- All major subgroups less confident, with Republicans losing the most
WASHINGTON, DC — Americans’ confidence in higher education fell to 36%, significantly lower than two previous readings in 2015 (57%) and 2018 (48%). In addition to the 17% of American adults who have “a lot” and 19% “somewhat” confidence, 40% have “a little” and 22% “very little” confidence.
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The latest drop in public confidence in higher education comes from a June 1-22 Gallup poll that also found trust in 16 other institutions has declined in recent years. Many of these entities, which are tracked more often than higher education, are now also at or near their lowest confidence points. Although on the decline, higher education ranks fourth in terms of trust among the 17 institutions measured, with small businesses, the military and the police taking the top three spots. This was also the case in 2018, the last time higher education was included in the list of institutions.
All major subgroups, led by Republicans, less confident in higher education
In 2015, the majority of Americans in all key subgroups expressed confidence in higher education, with one exception: independents (48%). By 2018, however, confidence had plummeted across all groups, with the biggest drop, 17 percentage points, among Republicans. In the latest measure, confidence fell again across the board, but Republicans sank the most — 20 points to 19%, the lowest of any group. The confidence of adults without a college degree and those aged 55 and older has fallen almost as much as that of Republicans since 2018.
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Even though all subgroups show a decline in confidence in higher education, significant gaps persist between political, educational, gender and age subgroups. Notably, the only key subgroup with majority confidence in higher education is Democrats (59%).
Conclusion
Americans’ confidence in higher education, which showed a sharp decline between 2015 and 2018, has deteriorated further to reach a new low point. Although Gallup hasn’t probed the reasons for the recent decline in confidence, the rising cost of post-secondary education likely plays a significant role.
The gap is widening between the confidence of Republicans and that of Democrats in higher education. Previous Gallup Poll found that Democrats worried about costs, while Republicans worried about politics in higher education.
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