Americans are growing increasingly skeptical about the value and cost of college, with a majority indicating that they believe the U.S. higher education system is on the wrong path, according to a recent poll. The report, released by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, shows that only 36% of adults currently have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. This marks a significant decline from 57% in 2015, highlighting a substantial erosion of trust over the past several years.
This decline in confidence is mirrored in declining college enrollment rates, as higher education institutions struggle with the ongoing student debt crisis, escalating tuition costs, and contentious political debates over curriculum content, such as the teaching of race and other sensitive topics. The necessity of a college education for achieving professional success is also under scrutiny. A March survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that only about one in four Americans believe a bachelor’s degree is essential for securing a well-paying job.
Notably, employment opportunities and earnings for young men without college degrees have seen improvement over the last decade, reversing some of the economic downturn that began in the 1970s. According to Pew Research, young men with only a high school diploma have experienced a slight rebound in their earnings since 2014. In 2023, the median annual income for men aged 25 to 34 without a college degree was $45,000, representing a 15% increase from $39,300 in 2014 when adjusted for inflation.
Despite these gains, the perception that college is worth the time and money is dimming across all demographics, including gender, age, and political affiliation. Among Republicans, the number of respondents with high confidence in higher education has plummeted by 36 percentage points over the past decade, a significantly steeper decline than that observed among Democrats or independents. Randy Hill, a 59-year-old registered Republican from Connecticut, encapsulates this sentiment: “It’s so expensive, and I don’t think colleges are teaching people what they need to get a job. You graduate out of college, you’re up to your eyeballs in debt, you can’t get a job, then you can’t pay it off. What’s the point?”
The overall finding of the Gallup-Lumina survey — that only 36% of adults have strong confidence in higher education — has remained unchanged from the previous year. However, researchers are concerned about the growing number of Americans expressing “very little” or “no” confidence. This year, almost as many people reported having little or no confidence (32%) as those with high confidence, indicating a significant shift in public opinion.
Affordability remains a major deterrent for pursuing a college degree. Michael Itzkowitz, founder of HEA Group, a research and consulting firm focused on college, told CBS MoneyWatch that “the No. 1 deterrent for a student not to pursue a college degree is affordability — they simply think they can’t afford the cost of a higher education.” Itzkowitz pointed out that many of California’s state colleges, which tend to be lower-priced than nonprofit private universities, offer the best return on investment for low- and middle-income students.
Experts warn that a decline in college graduates could exacerbate labor shortages in critical fields such as healthcare and information technology. For those who forgo college, the consequences often include lower lifetime earnings — 75% less compared with those who obtain bachelor’s degrees, according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Moreover, during economic downturns, those without degrees are more likely to lose their jobs.
“It is sad to see that confidence hasn’t grown at all,” said Courtney Brown, vice president at Lumina, an education nonprofit focused on increasing the number of students who pursue education beyond high school. “What’s shocking to me is that the number of people with low or no confidence is actually increasing.”
In an effort to understand why confidence in higher education is shrinking, this year’s survey included new, detailed questions. Nearly one-third of respondents cited the high cost of college as a major issue, while 24% felt that students are not being properly educated or taught what they need to succeed. Political views also played a significant role, with respondents expressing concerns about indoctrination, political bias, and a perceived liberal slant in colleges. Among those who lack confidence, 41% cited political agendas as a reason.
Generally, when people express confidence in higher education, they are thinking of four-year institutions, according to Gallup. However, the survey found that more people have confidence in two-year institutions. Forty-nine percent of adults expressed “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in two-year programs, compared to 33% for four-year colleges. Kristen Freeman, a sociology major at Diablo Valley Community College in California, understands why. “It’s about saving money. That’s why I went to a two-year. It’s more bang for your buck,” said Freeman, who plans to transfer to San Jose State University for her final two years of college.
Despite concerns about indoctrination and whether college adequately prepares students for life and work, Freeman believes that the only way to change structural problems is from within. “I am learning about the world around me and developing useful skills in critical thinking. I think higher education can give students the spark to want to change the system,” she said.
As Americans grapple with these complex issues surrounding higher education, the debate over its value, cost, and role in preparing students for the future continues to intensify.
![Survey Finds Increasing Number of Americans Doubt College is Worth the Investment 15 image 1743](https://theubj.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1743-1024x681.png)
Discover more from The UBJ - United Business Journal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.