Varying Degrees 2018

After years of
economic growth following the Great Recession, people still feel anxious about
the economy and see higher education as essential for improving personal
financial circumstances. While New America’s second annual survey about
perceptions on higher education shows that Americans believe pursuing education
beyond high school is important for career growth and economic security, they
still feel that higher education is not fine the way it is, and that government
should do more to make it affordable. 

Varying Degrees 2018: New America’s Second Annual Survey on Higher Education surveyed 1,600 Americans ages 18
and older to better understand their perceptions of higher education, economic
mobility, and government funding. Like last year, the survey shows unifying
themes, as well as differences across various demographics when it comes to the
value of education beyond high school in today’s economy and the government’s
role in funding this education. We pay particular attention to the similarities
and differences of opinion among Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in
this election year. 

Our top findings
include: 

• Americans believe well-paying jobs require education after high school.
  Less than half (48 percent) believe there are
  well-paying jobs that do not require education after high school. 
• Americans believe education after high school creates opportunities. Most Americans (80 percent) believe there are more opportunities for
  those who pursue education after high school versus only 14 percent who say
  there is more opportunity for those who pursue work right away.
• Americans want change in higher education. Like
  last year, only one in four Americans believes that higher education is fine
  the way it is.
• Americans believe public colleges and universities are worth the cost
  but feel mixed about private and for-profit colleges and universities. A majority of Americans say community colleges and public four-year colleges
  and universities are worth the cost (81 percent and 65 percent, respectively).
  Whereas only about two in five Americans believe that private (44 percent) and
  for-profit (40 percent) colleges and universities are worth the cost. 
• Regardless of demographic, Americans like their local colleges and
  universities. Four out of five (81 percent) have a
  positive view of the higher education institutions near them.
• Americans support workforce-based programs such as apprenticeship. There is wide agreement (90 percent) that apprenticeships and skills
  training programs prepare students for a good standard of living. 
• Americans believe higher education is a public benefit and that the
  government should do more to make it affordable. A majority
  (60 percent) believe government should spend tax dollars on higher education
  because it is a good for society, compared with 27 percent who say students
  should fund it because higher education is a personal benefit. Over
  three-quarters of Americans think state and federal government should spend
  more tax revenue on higher education to make it more affordable.

You can read the full report here.

In addition, please join New America today for the release of this new research. We will be hosting an event starting at 9:30am. You can register to attend in person or watch the livestream here.