Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Explore the Data
- Introduction
- Americans believe well-paying jobs require education after high school.
- Americans believe education after high school creates opportunities.
- Americans want change in higher education.
- Americans believe public colleges and universities are worth the cost but feel more mixed about private and for-profit colleges and universities.
- Regardless of demographic, Americans like their local colleges and universities.
- Americans support workforce-based programs such as apprenticeships.
- Americans believe higher education is a public benefit and that the government should do more to make it affordable.
- Perception versus reality
- North Carolina
- Institutional Profile: Elon University
- Apprenticeship Program Profile: Siemens Charlotte
Regardless of demographic, Americans like their local colleges and universities.
Even though only one in four believes higher education is fine the way it is, when asked about their local colleges and universities, 81 percent of Americans have a positive view of the higher education institutions near them.
Findings by Party Identification
Despite survey data from Pew and Gallup that showed Republicans feel negatively about “higher education” this is more likely related to the institution of college than for the specific colleges and universities located near them. Regardless of party identification, people like their local colleges and universities. While Republicans (78 percent) are less likely to say this than Democrats (84 percent), there is strong agreement.