The survey, conducted by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, found that 47% of Americans express "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in colleges and universities, ranking higher education just behind the military and ahead of police, the medical system, and large technology companies. More importantly for institutional leaders, net confidence has jumped 13 percentage points since 2023 and 6 points in just the past six months.
"While headlines continue to cover alleged violations, shortcomings and biases, the public sentiment expressed in our poll is quite favorable toward colleges and universities," said John Geer, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll. "Support for colleges and universities remains substantial, even in the midst of these many criticisms from Washington."
The September survey of 1,030 American adults offers a nuanced portrait of public opinion that defies simple political narratives. While partisan divides remain significant, Americans across the political spectrum continue to value higher education's core functions—even as they express serious concerns about affordability and political bias.
The data suggests Americans retain deep respect for the academic enterprise itself. More than half (56%) express confidence in universities' ability to conduct scientific and medical research that saves lives, while 45% value research in the humanities and social sciences. These findings may reassure faculty and researchers facing questions about the relevance of their work.
"People may be critical of certain aspects of an institution, while still recognizing its fundamental importance," noted Josh Clinton, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll. "Higher education is no different" from other essential institutions that face public scrutiny while maintaining underlying support.
The public also continues to see higher education as crucial for individual success. Seventy-eight percent believe a college education is "very" or "somewhat" important for young people—a figure that has actually grown since June. This sentiment crosses party lines, with 87% of Democrats and 68% of Republicans viewing college as important for success.
The survey reveals significant differences in how Americans view different types of institutions—findings that could inform strategic planning for college leaders. Community colleges emerge as the clear winners, enjoying 70% favorability among respondents. This strong support likely reflects both their local connections and their distance from recent political controversies.
In contrast, Ivy League institutions, while maintaining an overall positive rating, show stark partisan divides. Seventy-two percent of Democrats view elite universities favorably, compared to just 33% of Republicans. Southeastern Conference universities scored lower overall (40%) but showed less polarization, with 51% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats expressing favorable views.
These patterns suggest that proximity to communities and perceived elitism may significantly influence public perceptions—insights that could inform how different types of institutions approach public engagement.
Despite growing confidence in higher education's mission, the survey identifies affordability as a glaring weakness that threatens institutional credibility. Only 14% of Americans express confidence that colleges "remain as affordable as possible," while 62% lack such confidence—creating a devastating -48 net rating.
This finding comes as college costs continue to outpace inflation and student debt reaches record levels. For institutional leaders, the data suggests that affordability concerns may be undermining public trust more than any other single factor.
The affordability crisis appears to transcend partisan politics, with Americans across the political spectrum expressing skepticism about college costs. This widespread concern could provide common ground for policy discussions about funding models and student financial aid.
The survey also highlights the delicate balance institutions must strike around political issues. While 67% of Americans view political bias as a serious problem on campuses, the public's response is more nuanced than simple opposition to higher education.
Notably, Americans place far more blame on administrative decisions (43%) than classroom teaching (16%) for higher education's problems. This distinction suggests the public differentiates between institutional policies and academic instruction—potentially providing guidance for how colleges address neutrality concerns.
Perhaps most significantly, 71% of Americans—including 83% of Republicans and 59% of Democrats—believe universities should not take official positions on controversial political issues. This bipartisan preference for institutional neutrality offers a clear directive for college leaders navigating polarized times.
The poll, conducted September 5-8, 2025, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
