American views of higher ed decline, once again

A new Gallup poll finds that Americans’ belief in the importance of college has fallen sharply. Asked whether a college education is “very,” “fairly,” or “not too” important, fewer than one-third now choose “very important,” compared with 70% in 2013. Meanwhile, “not too important” has risen from 6% to nearly 30%, a fivefold increase. “Fairly important” is now the most common response, though it does not amount to strong support. The decline coincides with the 2013 peak in college enrollment, raising the possibility that confidence in higher education and participation in it have both passed a high point.

The poll shows double-digit drops in perceived importance across every major demographic group, including Democrats and Republicans, men and women, and all ethnic groups. The broad change raises questions about future campus-community relationships, government funding, fundraising, and higher education’s place in politics. A response to the findings cautions that the question may capture views of a degree’s cost and career payoff more than the value of learning itself. Student debt, economic insecurity, and the availability of less expensive vocational routes may shape opinions, alongside political attacks on colleges. Different groups may also object for different reasons, such as expense or insufficient diversity, while some who criticize higher education still value access to elite institutions for their own families.