What Americans Really Think of Higher Ed: Insights from New America's Varying Degrees 2024

Changing Higher Ed

Despite media narratives of declining confidence in higher education, new survey data reveals 80% of Americans view college costs - not value - as the primary barrier to enrollment. While only 36% think higher education is "fine how it is," bipartisan support remains strong, with a majority of both Democrats and Republicans favoring increased government funding for affordability.

On this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kevin Carey, Vice President for Education and Work at New America, and Sophie Nguyen, Senior Policy Manager with the Higher Education team at New America, a nonpartisan think tank focused on social and technological issues, including education. The discussion centers around New America’s annual “Varying Degrees” survey, which examines how Americans perceive higher education.

Carey and Nguyen argue that, contrary to the media narrative, Americans have not actually lost faith in the value of higher education. They attribute the decline in enrollment not to a loss of confidence but rather to demographic shifts, the economic recession, and the unique nature of the pandemic.

They also highlight the partisan divide in perspectives on higher education, noting that Republicans have become more skeptical of higher education than Democrats, likely due to a changing composition of the two parties' constituencies in terms of educational attainment.

The conversation concludes with practical advice for college leaders on navigating these challenges, emphasizing the need for clear communication about the value of higher education, acknowledging student and parental concerns about affordability and career pathways, and continuing to advocate for higher education in the face of political and social shifts.

What Higher Ed Leaders Will Gain From This Podcast

Here are some insights, facts, and trends you’ll hear discussed:

• Americans do not hate higher education. While confidence in higher education as an institution is declining, this is consistent with declining American confidence in all institutions. Americans still largely believe in higher education.

• Americans’ opinions on higher education have remained relatively stable over the years, even amidst significant events like the pandemic. This finding counters media narratives suggesting a dramatic shift in public opinion.

• A majority of Republicans believe that the government should invest more money to make higher education more affordable. This suggests that there is a bipartisan consensus on investing in higher education.

• There has been a partisan realignment around higher education, with Democrats increasingly becoming the party of education. This is likely due to an increase in the number of people with college degrees among Democrat voters.

• The decline in college enrollment is mainly driven by demographic decline, not by a decline in demand for higher education. The number of college-age people in America peaked in the late 2010s and has been declining since.

• The pandemic recession did not lead to an increase in college enrollment as previous recessions have. This is because the pandemic recession was brief, and the economy quickly rebounded.

• The labor market has been very strong for non-college graduates in the middle and lower parts of the wage scale. This may be a factor in the decline in college enrollment.

• Many parents who say they do not want their children to get a four-year degree actually do want their children to go to college for job training. They may not realize that most job-related training in the United States happens at colleges.

• Colleges need to communicate the value of a liberal arts education to students and parents. Emphasize that a liberal arts education is not just about job training but also about developing critical thinking skills, exposure to diverse perspectives, and personal growth.

• Colleges need to make a clear connection between a liberal arts education and career pathways. Highlight how the skills and knowledge gained in a liberal arts education can be applied to various careers.

• Cost remains a significant concern for a vast majority of Americans, serving as a major barrier to college enrollment. The survey demonstrates bipartisan agreement on this issue.

• Colleges need to address the cost of higher education: This includes providing more financial aid, lowering tuition, and exploring alternative models of education, such as three-year degrees.

Three Key Takeaways for Presidents, Enrollment Executives, and Boards

1. Communicate Education's Value

• Demonstrate the lifelong benefits of liberal education
• Make concrete connections between liberal education and career pathways
• Don't ignore students' desire for clear career outcomes

1. Address Cost Concerns

• Acknowledge that cost is a significant concern for students
• Clearly communicate available financial options and solutions
• Help students understand ways to manage educational costs

1. Embrace Public Support

• Americans maintain strong support for higher education
• The majority of both parties support increased government investment
• Demographics present challenges, but core support remains strong
• Institutions should acknowledge the need for change while maintaining confidence

Final Thoughts

The survey responses suggest that higher education leaders must adapt to the real environment, not the selective representation filtered through political or media bias. They need to be aware of the partisan divide around higher education, the demographic decline, and the strong labor market for non-college graduates. They also need to be proactive in communicating the value of higher education to students and parents and in addressing the cost of higher education.

Read the transcript on our website at https://changinghighered.com/what-americans-really-think-of-higher-ed-new-americas-varying-degrees-2024/

#VaryingDegrees2024 #HigherEducation #HigherEdPodcast

About Our Podcast Guests

Sophie Nguyen

Sophie Nguyen is a senior policy manager with the higher education team at New America. Her work focuses on college completion and public opinion in higher education. Nguyen leads Varying Degrees, New America’s annual survey that looks into how Americans perceive important higher education issues regarding value, funding, and accountability. Nguyen also manages the Higher Ed Public Opinion Hub, an online repository of higher education surveys, and co-authors Public Insight, New America's monthly newsletter that provides analysis on survey findings. Her work on public opinion has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, Inside Higher Ed, Higher Ed Dive, and other news outlets. Nguyen joined the program after graduating from Mount Holyoke College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in economics. She later earned a master's degree in higher education administration from the George Washington University School of Education and Human Development.

Sophie Nguyen on LinkedIn →

Kevin Carey

Kevin Carey is Vice President for Education and Work at New America, a Washington, DC-based think tank. He writes widely about higher education and other topics for publications, including the New York Times, Atlantic, Washington Post, Vox, Slate, Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, Washington Monthly, and elsewhere.

Kevin Carey on LinkedIn →

About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton is Principal Consultant and CEO of The Change Leader, Inc.—a highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience. Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances.

Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.

Connect with Drumm McNaughton on LinkedIn →