Changes in U.S. Attitude Towards Higher Education

Seems like Americans are changing how they think about higher education. That's what a lot of recent research from Gallup has been showing. Back in 2015, around 57% of people thought higher education was perfectly fine - it was doing all the things it should. However, things feel a little different now. In 2021, only 36% of people feel this way. That's a drop of almost 20%.

What's making people lose faith?

A big part of this change is probably because of how much school costs. More and more, people are worried that the price tag for a college degree is just too high. They're also not sure if the courses being taught are preparing students for the real-world.

Although, it's not all bad news. People believe that colleges and universities are doing well when it comes to providing skills students might need in the future.

The politics of it all

Interest in higher education isn't the same for everyone. Research from Gallup shows differences between political groups. For example, Republicans and Independents have seen a sharper decrease in faith in higher education than Democrats. Despite this, all groups have seen some decline in confidence over the years.

Confidence in community colleges

Good news for community colleges. Confidence in these institutions remains pretty high. And it's been this way for a while. In fact, 67% of people who took the Gallup survey have confidence in them. Students seem to appreciate the smaller class sizes and more direct route into jobs that these colleges offer.

What does the future hold?

It's clear that there's been a shift in attitudes towards higher education. But the future is still bright. Although many people have questioned the value of a degree, there's also a strong belief that higher education institutions are well-equipped to prepare the next generation for future careers.

It's an important time for colleges and universities to show they offer value for money, and that they can provide students with the skills to succeed in the future. To make this happen, it's crucial that these institutions continue to innovate, grow, and challenge the status quo.