Survey conducted by Vanderbilt University on adults’ perceptions of higher education institutions and their relationship with politics.
As part of The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, the college conducted a national poll of 1,030 American adults (in English and Spanish) on their opinions on ‘higher education, including their confidence in those institutions, their current relevance, federal policies targeting them and the principle of neutrality.’
What were the key findings?
Perception of higher education
- 47% of respondents identified having ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in higher education (HE) (for comparison 49% had a great deal/quite a lot of confidence in the military, 44% in the police, 38% in the medical system and 25% in large tech companies.
- 15% of respondents identified as ‘not confident’ in higher education.
- Confidence levels varied across the different political groups that respondents identified with – 69% of Democrats were highly confident compared to 35% or Republicans, 45% of independents and 24% of those that identify with the ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA)’ movement.
- 78% of participants share they feel college education is very or somewhat important for a young person to succeed (up 2 percentage points from their June poll).
- 65% surveyed believe colleges and other higher education institutions are having a positive effective on society.
- The impact on society is where the largest political divide was identified though where for example 65% of MAGA Republicans felt colleges and universities actually having a negative impact on the country.
- Confidence in institutions varied depending on regions and types of institutions – for example, 70% of respondents had high confidence in community colleges, whereas 48% of respondents had a very or somewhat favourable view of Ivy League intuitions and 40% in universities from the Southeastern Conference.
Strengths and concerns
- 62% of participants have concerns about the affordability of HE institutions.
- 56% are confident that HE institutions conduct scientific research that saves lives.
- 37% are unconfident in students being taught neutrally without political bias.
- 45% identified that universities and colleges produce important research in humanities and social sciences.
- 25% feel students are not taught how to be critical thinkers.
- 45% shared confidence in HE being institutions that expose students to different viewpoints and opinions.
- 18% had a lack of confidence in HE preparing students for successful careers.
Political bias
- 67% of respondents said ideological or political bias is a very or somewhat serious problem at colleges and universities.
- Of these 67% of respondents, a small minority believe the bias is only a problem in a handful of elite colleges, 40% believe it is an issue in many colleges and universities and 45% believe its an issue in most institutions.
- Again, the perception of bias differs across political parties, 54% of Democrats think it is a serious problem compared to 79% of Republicans and 91% of those who identify with the MAGA movement.
- 71% of respondents said HE institutions shouldn’t take official positions on controversial political issues.
- 83% of republicans and 59% of democrats agreed colleges and universities should ‘stay out of political debates’.
- For source of the bias, 43% blame administrators’ decisions, compared to 16% who blame what is taught in the classroom.
Read the full report and learn more about Vanderbilt University’s project.
Reference
Vanderbilt Unity Poll: Confidence in higher education rebounds, though affordability and political bias are still concerns (Accessed: 3rd October 2025)
