2025 State of Higher Education Survey - Pathways After High School Results
Survey
Aug. 2025
Sample Size:
2,017
Demographics:
US adults
Topics:
Educational Pathways
Top Findings:
- Six in 10 U.S. parents say they would prefer their child pursue a two- or four-year college education immediately after high school, preferences vary by political affiliation and educational attainment.
- Democrats (73%) are the most likely to favor a college path, followed by a majority of independents (57%), while less than half of Republicans (48%) say the same.
- Just over half of Democrats (53%), compared with 40% of independents and 27% of Republicans, would most like to see their child attend a four-year college.
- Parents who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher (75%) are far more likely than those who have not (50%) to want their child to enroll in a two- or four-year college.
- Enrolling in a job training or certification program is the next most favored option among non-parents (23%), compared with 16% of parents who say the same. Relatively few non-parents would prefer the child take time off (12%), join the military (6%) or enter the workforce directly (3%).