Americans’ Stances on Higher Ed Ahead of the Midterms

How is higher education faring ahead of the midterm elections? As voters head to the polls next week, this month’s Public Insight reviews recent surveys to see how they view higher education amid rising costs of living and other pressing concerns. This piece also discusses how politics is playing an increasingly important role in students’ enrollment decisions.

Across multiple surveys, the economy and cost of living are top of mind for Americans this year. A Washington Post and Ipsos survey of 2,648 adults conducted in July shows that 43 percent say the economy will be the most important factor affecting their votes for Congress this year. Another survey of 1,165 registered voters conducted by Quinnipiac University in June finds that 67 percent describe the state of the economy as “not so good” or “poor,” while 40 percent identify food and health care costs as their biggest financial concern. In a July Gallup survey of 1,200 adults, three in four Americans rate economic conditions as “only fair” or “poor.” And when asked about the country’s most important problem, most cite the government, immigration, the high cost of living, and the economy in general.

In these surveys, higher education doesn’t rank high among voters’ concerns, but that doesn’t mean their perspectives of higher education won’t influence how they vote. For years, a majority of Americans across party lines have recognized the value of a college degree while expressing concern about its cost. They also often disagree about how higher education should be funded.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 4,505 American adults conducted this summer suggests those views persist. Among liberal or liberal-leaning respondents, 34 percent consider providing free college tuition for all Americans essential, and 47 percent consider it important but not essential. On the other hand, 24 percent of those identified as conservative or conservative-leaning consider reducing government loans or subsidies for college tuition an essential issue, while 46 percent say it is important.

Only 38 percent of Americans feel confident about higher education, according to a Lumina/Gallup poll conducted of 1,001 adults in June. As in previous years, the leading reasons for low confidence include colleges’ political agendas, high costs, and doubts about whether colleges are preparing students for the workforce. As AI becomes more prevalent, some people are also reconsidering the value of a degree: In the same Lumina/Gallup poll, 46 percent think college degrees would be less important in the next five years.

Looking beyond the election, Americans want action that can make college more affordable and valuable. In a survey from Jobs for the Future of 2,014 registered voters conducted in September, voters across party lines want to see elected officials prioritize affordable, high-quality education and training, along with lowering the cost of living and health care.

Nearly half of recent high school graduates believe so, according to the latest survey from Arts & Science. That doesn’t mean politics is a major factor in most students’ enrollment decisions, but the share who would rule out a college solely because of its state’s political climate has risen steadily, from 24 percent in 2023 to 34 percent in 2026. Notably, for students who do consider state politics when choosing colleges, most do so at a very early stage in their search. And their decisions can extend beyond individual institutions: Some students are also hesitant to consider states or regions where the most common political orientation differs from their own.

The findings suggest that as politics increasingly shapes students’ college decisions, institutions should be ready to discuss their campus environment in the context of state or regional politics, and consider doing so early in their outreach to prospective students.