According to a new survey about Americans' views on higher education, higher education in the United States enjoys broad public support, but Americans are concerned about its costs and some aspects of campus culture, according to a sweeping new national survey.

The study is the first report from the American Higher Education Barometer (AHEB), a collaboration among researchers at the University of Rochester, Northeastern University, Rutgers University, Harvard University, and others. It draws on more than 31,000 survey responses from all 50 states, making it one of the most comprehensive snapshots of public opinion on US colleges and universities in recent years.

Druckman, a professor of political science at the University of Rochester, says the findings paint a nuanced picture of an institution that Americans trust and view as a crucial incubator for technology and scientific innovation—despite facing challenges in the way of public perception.

“Universities remain among the most trusted institutions in American life,” Druckman says. “But there’s clear evidence that the public wants higher education to take its challenges seriously, from affordability to free speech. The good news is that broad support provides a foundation for doing just that.”

According to the report, 59% of Americans approve of the role US universities play in society, and 75% say they trust them at least somewhat. This places higher education fourth among major institutions evaluated in terms of “institutional trust,” behind only hospitals and doctors, the military, and scientists and researchers.

Nine in 10 Americans recognize universities as vital for science and technology, while 83% credit them with advancing health care and economic growth. Nearly three-quarters also view them as crucial for democracy.

At the same time, the survey about Americans' views on higher education found widespread anxiety about campus life and rising costs:

  • 87% of respondents say they are concerned about tuition and student debt.
  • 84% worry about free speech on campus, and 77% about what they perceive as universities and colleges having a “liberal bias.”
  • More than eight in 10 express concerns about discrimination on campus, including racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.
  • Three-quarters have concerns about transgender athletes.

Read the full article about Americans' views of higher education at Futurity.