GoKawiilGallup poll finds Americans' view of college importance falls across every group
A new Gallup survey asking how important a college education is found 'very important' responses have fallen to less than a third, down from 70% in 2013. 'Not too important' responses rose roughly fivefold over the same period, from 6% to nearly 30%. Gallup reports the decline occurred across all demographic groups, including those historically most favorable to college, such as Democrats and groups with traditionally strong support.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
A uniform, double-digit decline across party, gender and ethnic lines suggests the shift reflects a broad cultural reassessment of college's value rather than a partisan trend, according to the Gallup breakdown. Commentator Bryan Alexander notes 2013 also marked peak U.S. college enrollment, raising the possibility that perceptions and enrollment are linked, though this is speculative. Such sustained erosion in public confidence could eventually affect political support, fundraising and government funding for higher education institutions.
- 'Very important' responses dropped from 70% in 2013 to under a third now, per Gallup.
- 'Not too important' responses grew roughly fivefold, from 6% to nearly 30%.
- The decline spans all major demographic groups, including those once most supportive of college.
Source: bryanalexander.org — Posted On, 2026-10-30
Published there as: “American views of higher ed decline, once again”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.