A recent Gallup/Lumina Foundation poll reveals that Americans’ confidence in higher education is declining, with only 36% expressing high confidence. This skepticism is driven by concerns about the rising cost of college, doubts about the relevance of education to the job market, and political disagreements over curriculum content. Hosts Jessica Reyes and Patricia Wu break down the study’s findings with Dr. Jude Black in Psychology Behind the Headlines.
A Consistent Drop
The decline in confidence is consistent across demographics, with a significant drop among Republicans. This trend has coincided with declining college enrollment and is raising concerns about potential labor shortages and lower lifetime earnings for those who don’t pursue higher education.
Lack of Confidence in the Institutions
The survey also found that a growing number of Americans have little or no confidence in higher education, citing cost, lack of relevant skills training, and political bias as reasons. Despite this, confidence in two-year institutions remains higher than in four-year colleges.
A Growing Disconnect With Higher Education
While some students, like Kristen Freeman, remain optimistic about the transformative power of higher education, the poll findings underscore a growing disconnect between Americans and the higher education system.
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