Contrary to click-bait headlines decrying waning public confidence in higher education, a recent national survey conducted by New America reveals a more nuanced truth: most people still believe in the value of postsecondary education—but they also believe it needs significant reform.

In the eighth annual Varying Degrees report, researchers surveyed Americans about their perceptions of higher education, tracking how views have changed since 2017. Sophie Nguyen, senior policy manager, and Olivia Sawyer, program associate, both of New America’s higher education team, joined the Insight Into Academia podcast, Beyond the Quadcast, to discuss the findings.

“Varying Degrees is a survey of what Americans think about higher education,” Nguyen says. “We ask about college value, funding, affordability, accountability—all the major issues.”

She emphasizes that the goal of the report is to offer context and clarity in the midst of widespread speculation about public attitudes. “Especially in recent years, there’s been a narrative of declining confidence. Our survey adds nuance to that story.”

According to Nguyen, while the data reflects dissatisfaction, it also shows a deep and enduring belief in the power of education. “More than 70% of Americans still say higher education is a worthwhile return on investment,” she says. “Even when people express frustration, they still want their children to pursue some form of education after high school.”

A Subtle Shift in Public Sentiment

When asked whether public trust in higher education has significantly declined, Nguyen says the data tells a more tempered story. “There’s been a slight downward trend over the years in response to questions about whether higher ed is fine the way it is or whether it’s worth the investment, but it’s mostly stable—not the dramatic drop some might expect.”

Still, she notes that moments of national disruption, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, created visible shifts in specific areas. “We saw significant changes in how people viewed online learning between 2020 and 2022. In 2021, just 3% thought online learning was better than in-person. By 2022, that number jumped to 8%,” Nguyen explains. “It shows how lived experience impacts perception.”

Broad Utility of the Data

New America makes the full data set from Varying Degrees accessible online, allowing users to explore public opinion across demographics. Sawyer says the tool is already making an impact in the field.

“I’ve talked to professors who use it in their graduate classes, and it’s especially helpful for students studying education policy,” she says. “But it’s not just for academics — it’s incredibly useful for state and local policymakers, government relations officials, and institutions trying to better understand public opinion.”

Sawyer explains that the findings can help inform decisions around funding, public engagement, and student support services. “It creates a bridge between what people think and what policy needs to address.”

Combating Misconceptions

Nguyen and Kevin Carey, vice president for education policy at New America, co-authored a 2023 brief pushing back against oversimplified and misleading media coverage of declining public confidence in higher education.

“There was a Gallup poll last summer showing confidence in higher ed had dropped from 57% in 2015 to 36% in 2023,” Nguyen says. “Many media outlets ran with that as a sign that Americans had turned against college altogether.”

But that interpretation didn’t hold up under scrutiny. “People still want their kids to go to college. They still believe in the value. What we’re really seeing is frustration—particularly about cost and support,” she says.

Nguyen also points out that trust in most major U.S. institutions—from Congress to churches—also dropped over the same time period. “In fact, colleges and universities still rank fourth highest in public confidence across all institutions,” she says.

The Role of Policymakers and Institutions

If Americans still value higher education, what do they want changed?

“The cost is the biggest concern,” Nguyen says. “But it’s also about completion. People are enrolling and not finishing. And that’s where support systems come in—things like academic advising, mental health care, and financial aid guidance.”

Survey respondents overwhelmingly agreed that these services are essential. More than 80% believed financial aid and academic support were “extremely important,” while nearly 80% said mental health resources were also necessary. Around 70% recognized the importance of services addressing housing and food insecurity, and a majority supported offering on-campus child care and transportation assistance.

“This tells us that Americans understand how multifaceted student needs are,” Nguyen says. “And that success in college requires more than just tuition.”

Sawyer adds that institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of supporting students beyond the classroom. “We have an amazing parenting student initiative at New America, and there’s growing momentum around providing child care, flexible course schedules, and other resources that make education accessible to a broader group of people.”

Public Opinion on AI: Cautious and Skeptical

For the first time in 2024, the Varying Degrees survey included questions about artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Sawyer says the findings reflect a cautious public.

“About half of Americans believe that students using AI will negatively impact learning,” she says. “That said, 27% think it could be beneficial, and around 18% believe it won’t have much impact at all.”

Interestingly, even Gen Z—typically early adopters of new tech—showed skepticism. “That surprised me,” Sawyer says. “It may be related to how professors or institutions have responded to students using AI tools, or simply a lack of information about what AI can actually do.”

She emphasizes that the term “AI” can be nebulous. “When people think of AI, they might think of ChatGPT, but many use Grammarly or Speechify without realizing those are also AI tools. As awareness grows, we expect opinions to evolve.”

Nguyen agrees and notes that the lack of clear definitions made drafting the survey questions a challenge. “AI is such a broad term. As its use in higher education becomes more defined, we’ll be able to ask more targeted questions in future surveys.”

Final Takeaways

Despite headlines of waning public trust, Nguyen and Sawyer stress that Americans still fundamentally believe in the promise of higher education. What they’re asking for is reform.

Sawyer adds that solving for these concerns will require collaboration across all levels. “The good news is that we’re seeing that happen. State higher education executives have named public perception a top priority for 2025. Leaders are paying attention.”

“The data is clear,” Nguyen says. “People want us—institutions, policymakers, the entire sector—to address the issues that aren’t working, especially affordability and student support. We have a lot of work to do, but we also have a lot of data that shows the public is still with us—and that’s an opportunity.”