Survey reveals 70 percent of Americans think higher education is failing, up from 56 percent in just five years.

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Key reasons cited by respondents include:

  • Soaring tuition costs, which many say are out of reach for average families.
  • Poor job preparation, with skepticism about whether degrees translate into real-world skills.
  • Concerns over free speech and ideological bias, particularly among conservative respondents.
  • Doubts about the return on investment, especially as student debt remains high and enrollment declines.

“Seven-in-ten Americans now say the higher education system in the United States is generally going in the wrong direction – up from 56% who said this in 2020.” — Pew Research Center, October 15, 2025

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/15/growing-share-of-americans-say-the-us-higher-education-system-is-headed-in-the-wrong-direction/

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