The document presents a detailed analysis of American public opinion regarding higher education, particularly focusing on leading research universities, from multiple national polls conducted between 2018 and 2022. While the general sentiment towards higher education as a whole is mixed or negative—with more Americans believing the system is on the wrong track—there remains a comparatively positive perception of America’s leading research universities (ALRUs). These institutions are broadly recognized as valuable assets due to their contributions to groundbreaking research, innovation, medical discoveries, and economic growth. Consistently, research-based messaging outperforms economic impact messaging when it comes to garnering public support for the role of research universities. However, concerns about high costs, issues of accessibility, and ideological imbalance persist, reflecting a nuanced and, at times, polarized landscape, particularly along party lines.
The findings also reveal that while there is significant support for federal funding of scientific and medical research at research universities, partisan divides are evident, especially regarding which institutions—public research universities or the private sector—are seen as best serving the public interest. Among adults, most do not have a bachelor's degree, and cost is cited as the primary barrier for those who attended college but did not finish. Despite these concerns, satisfaction with undergraduate experiences among college-educated individuals is high. Public priorities for universities center on career preparation, affordability, safety, and the continuation of scientific research. Americans see global leadership in scientific and medical research as critical, and research-driven messages emphasizing international competitiveness, medical advancement, and energy independence resonate strongly with the public and influence support for increased federal funding. Overall, while confidence in higher education faces challenges, America’s leading research universities retain substantial public esteem, particularly when their research impact is emphasized.
