Pew Research: Americans Losing Faith in Higher Ed

A new Pew Research Center survey shows that 7 in 10 Americans now believe the U.S. higher education system is heading in the wrong direction—up sharply from 56% in 2020.

This concern crosses party lines, with 77% of Republicans and 65% of Democrats saying colleges and universities are off track. Even people who hold four-year degrees are increasingly skeptical.

Why the shift?

Most Americans give the system low marks in key areas:

• 79% say colleges are doing a fair or poor job keeping tuition affordable

• Over half say schools are failing to prepare students for well-paying jobs

• Nearly half say higher ed is falling short on critical thinking, financial aid, and free speech

There’s one bright spot: research and innovation. About 1 in 4 Americans rate colleges positively here—but that still leaves a lot of room for improvement.

The data reflects a deep frustration with a system that’s supposed to open doors, not close them. Rising costs. Limited support. Uneven outcomes. It's no wonder trust is eroding.

For Leading Ladies, this isn’t just a stat—it’s a call to action.

📌 Education is a right, not a privilege.
📌 Access should be equal, regardless of income or zip code.
📌 Your vote helps shape the future of public education—local boards, state budgets, national policy.

If we want a system that works for everyone, we have to fight for it—and that starts at the ballot box.