Dear Commons Community,
Researchers at Teachers College have just released the results of a national survey that examined Americans’ attitudes of the value of higher education. Entitled Americans’ Views of Higher Education as a Public and Private Good, it reports that adults see higher education as a good investment. More than three‐quarters of respondents (76%) say public spending on higher education in the United States has been an excellent or good investment, with nearly half viewing public spending as an excellent investment. Some 17% say public spending on higher education has been a fair investment, and only 7% say it has not been a good investment. However, there are differences across gender, race/ethnicity, age groups, parental status, and political ideology in respondents’ views towards public investment in higher education. Summary of key findings are below.
Tony
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AMERICANS’ VIEWS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS A PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GOOD
Noah D. Drezner Oren Pizmony‐Levy Aaron Pallas
July 2018
American higher education sets itself apart from higher education in other countries based on its mission to contribute to the common good of society. Since their inception, American colleges and universities have been charged both with enabling talented individuals to advance through higher education and with enhancing the quality of American life through scientific discoveries and the invigoration of the American economy. Do Americans believe these promises have been met? Over the past decade, researchers have found a diversity of opinions across the political spectrum, but the evidence comes from a narrow set of public opinion questions.
This research brief seeks to extend our understanding of public views of American universities and colleges. We build on previous studies by distinguishing the role of colleges and universities in advancing our collective well‐being from the contributions of going to college for the particular students who attend. Americans may believe that college is good for society, but does not transform individual students and their life chances. Or, perhaps, they may believe that colleges and universities help their students get ahead, but don’t do much for the rest of us. These views about how higher education contributes to the public good and to private interests may shape their willingness to support public investment in higher education.
We consider three related issues: (a) Americans’ views towards public investment in higher education; (b) perceived contributions of higher education to American society (a public good) and to graduates (a private benefit); and (c) attitudes towards public spending on 2‐ and 4‐year institutions.
Views towards public investment in higher education
Overwhelmingly, American adults see public spending on higher education in the United States as a good investment. More than three‐quarters of respondents (76%) say public spending on higher education in the United States has been an excellent or good investment, with nearly half viewing public spending as an excellent investment (see Figure 2.1). Some 17% say public spending on higher education has been a fair investment, and only 7% say it has not been a good investment.
There are significant differences across gender, race/ethnicity, age groups, parental status, and political ideology in respondents’ views towards public investment in higher education (see Figure 2.2).
- Women are more likely than men to view public spending on higher education as an excellent investment. About half of women (48%) and approximately two‐fifths of men (39%) say public spending on higher education has been an excellent investment.
- Black and Latinx respondents are more likely than Whites to view public spending on higher education as an excellent investment. More than half (52%) of Blacks and about half (49%) of Latnix say public spending on higher education has been an excellent investment. Among Whites and Asian Americans, this figure drops to 41%.
- Younger adults are more likely than older adults to view public spending on higher education as an excellent investment. Approximately half (48%) of adults aged 18‐44 say public spending on higher education has been an excellent investment. Among respondents aged 50‐65, this figure drops to 40%.
- Liberals are more likely than conservatives to view public spending on higher education as a good investment. More than half (56%) of liberals say public spending on higher education has been an excellent investment, compared to 32% of conservatives and 45% of moderates.
- Respondents living in urban communities are more likely than respondents living in rural communities to view public spending on higher education as a good investment. More than half (52%) of residents of urban communities say public spending on higher education has been an excellent investment, compared to 41% of residents of suburbs and 32% of residents of rural communities.
