Executive Summary

New America began Varying Degrees as an annual effort to gauge opinions about and knowledge of higher education over time. In the three years since New America began to publish this survey, the United States has seen massive economic growth that has included lower unemployment rates, modest wage increases after a long period of stagnation, and greater consumer spending. But Americans cannot escape the feeling that their economic fortunes are on shaky ground due to a struggling global economy and fears of the next recession. And many feel cynical when it comes to the foundational institutions of this country—from the media, to government, to higher education.¹

As the country begins its next presidential election cycle—one in which the 2018 midterm election referendum on President Trump was mixed, with Democrats winning back the majority in the House but losing ground in the Senate—there is a question of whether trust in these foundational institutions can be restored. When it comes to higher education in America, there is an increasing questioning of whether college is worth the cost as prices continue to grow and higher-education debt balloons.

Against this backdrop, Varying Degrees 2019: New America’s Third Annual Survey on Higher Education surveyed 2,029 Americans ages 18 and older to better understand their perceptions of education after high school, its contribution to economic mobility, how state and federal government should prioritize its funding, and what role it plays in the 2020 presidential election. As in previous years, the survey shows unifying themes, as well as differences among various demographics when it comes to questions about the value of and funding for education opportunities after high school. Since the United States is gearing up for a presidential election, special attention is paid to the opinions of Republicans, Democrats, and independents.²

Our top findings this year include:

• Americans think that well-paying jobs may not require education after high school, but they believe that education after high school creates better opportunities. Many (62 percent) agreed that there are lots of well-paying, stable jobs that people can find with only a high school diploma or GED. Despite this, 78 percent said that education beyond high school offers a good return on investment for students, and 90 percent said that education beyond high school offers pathways for upward economic mobility.
• Americans want change in higher education. Only one-third of Americans think higher education is fine the way it is.
• Only half of Americans think education after high school Is affordable and they believe government funding should be increased. Approximately half (49 percent) believe that Americans can receive a high-quality education after high school that is also affordable. Over four out of five Americans believe that federal and state government should spend more taxpayer dollars on education after high school to make it more affordable.
• Americans think we need to hold colleges and universities accountable. Nine out of 10 (91 percent) Americans think it is important for colleges and universities to be transparent and provide publicly available data on key indicators of quality. Most Americans support the idea that colleges and universities should lose access to taxpayer dollars if they fail to meet several indicators of quality, such as having low graduation rates or student loan repayment rates.
• Americans want admissions at elite colleges and universities to change. In general, Americans do not like any admission preference that considers legacy status (63 percent opposed), athletic recruitment (57 percent opposed), or race/ethnicity (74 percent opposed).
• Americans value various educational pathways after high school. Whether it is an apprenticeship, technical degree, associate degree, or bachelor's degree, almost all Americans said that they felt comfortable recommending that their children or close family members enroll in these programs (90 percent or more for all programs except for associate degree programs, 84 percent).
• Americans believe public colleges and universities are worth the cost. Meanwhile, a slight majority (52 percent) think for-profit institutions are not worth the cost.
• Americans feel positively about their local colleges and universities. Nearly four out of five Americans feel positively about their local colleges and universities.
• Voters slightly support free college in the 2020 election. While 67 percent say a candidate’s stance on free college is important for their voting decision, a smaller percentage (56 percent) say they are more likely to support a candidate that favors free college tuition with 31 percent actively opposing and 12 percent who said it would not impact their vote.