Despite high-profile conflicts between President Trump and several prominent colleges and universities, Americans remain confident in higher education, a new poll revealed.
The national poll, conducted by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, surveyed 1,030 Americans from Sep. 5-8, according to a Sept. 24 news release. The poll results showed a boost in confidence in higher education from recent lows, outpacing confidence in other institutions like the police force and medical system. But they also indicated Americans across the political spectrum are deeply concerned about affordability and political bias when it comes to the nation’s colleges and universities.
“While headlines continue to cover alleged violations, shortcomings and biases, the public sentiment expressed in our poll is quite favorable toward colleges and universities,” John Geer, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll, said in the release. “Certainly, people expressed areas of concern and viewed certain institutions as more problematic than others, but support for colleges and universities remains substantial, even in the midst of these many criticisms from Washington.”
Here are three key takeaways from the poll results.
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How Democrats, Republicans, MAGA see America’s colleges
Overall results from the survey showed 47% expressed a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in the nation’s universities and colleges. However, responses fluctated greatly across party lines.
The survey divided respondents into Democrats, Republicans, independents and those who identify most with the “Make America Great Again,” or MAGA, movement. Here’s a look at how they break down:
Democrats: 69% expressed a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education
Republicans: 39% expressed a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education
Independents: 45% expressed a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education
MAGA: 24% expressed a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education
A total of 65% of respondents said they believe higher education has a positive effect on society.
“A large majority of Democrats and, to a lesser degree, traditional Republicans, hold this view,” the release said. “Most notably, among MAGA Republicans, 65% feel colleges and universities are having a negative impact on the state of the country.”
There was consensus among the Democrats and Republicans surveyed that a college education is key to a young person’s success, with 78% deeming it “very” or “somewhat” important. That’s a two percentage point increase from a Unity Poll in June, the release said. Additionally, 87% of Democrats surveyed said a college education was “very” or “somewhat” important, versus 68% of Republicans who answered the same.
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Americans concerned over college affordability
The survey showed that 56% of respondents believe higher education delivers scientific and medical research that saves lives, and 45% said it produces key research in humanities and social sciences. Generally speaking, Americans also said they believe college prepares students for successful careers and teachers them to think critically. However, confidence in the ability of colleges and universities to create jobs and economic growth and remain affordable was comparatively low.
Josh Clinton, the co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll, said it’s important to note that most Americans view higher education as a net positive for society. He said that support has increased from lows he observed in 2023 and 2024. While affordability is among the deep concerns respondents shared, Clinton said that is different than the overall perception of higher education.
“Public opinion can be nuanced,” Clinton said in the release. “People may be critical of certain aspects of an institution, while still recognizing its fundamental importance. Many Americans have concerns about large tech companies, for example, but most also still believe they are essential to the country’s future. Higher education is no different.”
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Americans want univeristies to keep political neutrality
Two-thirds of those surveyed said ideological or political bias is a “very” or “somewhat” serious problem at America’s colleges and universities. But despite high-profile disputes between Trump and Ivy League schools like Harvard University in recent months, only a small minority of respondents confined problems of bias to a handful of elite colleges.
The survey also revealed another resounding statistic: 71% said universities should not take official positions on controversial political issues. That preference crosses party lines, with 83% of Republicans and 59% of Democrats saying universities should steer clear of political debates.
But a sharper divide comes among those who said bias is a serious problem in higher education. Among Democrats surveyed, 54% said it was an issue, as opposed to 79% of Republicans and 91% of those who identify most with the MAGA movement. Additionally, the majority of MAGA respondents said bias is an issue in most colleges and universities.
Learn more
More details on the new poll and the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy can be found at vanderbilt.edu/unity.
Rachel Wegner covers education and children’s issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at RAwegner@tennessean.com. You can also find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Poll: Americans confident in colleges but concerned over costs, bias