Poll: Confidence in higher ed grows despite concerns about affordability and political bias

Most Americans believe that colleges and universities benefit society, but many are still concerned about affordability and political bias on campus, according to a recent poll conducted by Vanderbilt University.

Seventy-eight percent of Americans believe that college is “somewhat” or “very” important for a young person’s success. That’s a two-point percentage increase from the same poll conducted in June 2025.

John Geer, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll, noted that this growth in confidence occurred despite a political landscape that’s often critical of higher education.

“Certainly, people expressed areas of concern and viewed certain institutions as more problematic than others, but support for colleges and universities remains substantial, even in the midst of these many criticisms from Washington,” he said.

While affordability is a concern, most appreciate the career training, research and critical thinking skills developed at colleges.

Polling found that Americans have more confidence in higher education than the police, the medical system and large tech companies.

But support varies across party lines.

Sixty-five percent of respondents said that colleges have a positive impact — with most Democrats and traditional Republicans sharing this view.

On the other hand, about two-thirds of MAGA voters believe that these schools are negatively impacting the country.

Respondents have more confidence in some institutions of higher education than others. Seventy percent approve of community colleges. But feelings about Ivy League universities differ across parties. Republicans largely distrust these schools while most Democrats support them. Poll results noted that community colleges don’t have the same controversies associated with larger, wealthier institutions.

More division surrounded the issue of perceived political bias on college campuses. Fifty-four percent of Democrats say it’s a problem, compared to 79% of Republicans and 91% percent of MAGA voters.

But respondents from both parties overwhelmingly agreed that universities should not weigh in on political controversies.

Many also believe that colleges don’t regard the views of right wing or conservative leaders as highly as their left-leaning counterparts. The blame for any political bias, however, is placed mainly on the administration, rather than what’s taught in the classrooms.