U.S. voters want higher ed reform. Will it play a big role this election season?

University Business

Alcino Donadel

May 21, 2024

Election season has voters thinking about higher education reform and what lawmakers can do to reduce costs and improve outcomes, according to a new survey by Third Way, a center-left think tank based out of Washington D.C.

Of the 1,500 registered U.S. voters surveyed, nearly two-thirds (64%) believe action must be taken to address affordability and the ROI of college degrees, describing the two issues as “top” or “major” priorities.

Affordability is the issue that voters across party lines unanimously agreed needed to be resolved the most. Over 81% of Republican and Democrat voters believe the prices are increasing. Whether colleges have lowered their tuition or not, 62% of voters don’t believe the public has enough information on the costs to make informed decisions.

“Zeroing in on debt and cost, voters want to see real accountability, with policymakers and institutions on the hook for higher education reforms that deliver for taxpayers,” Ben Cecil, senior education policy advisor at Third Way and the report’s author, wrote.

The change U.S. voters want to see

Most voters believe higher education’s purpose is to set students up for future career success (57%) rather than cultivate more informed citizens (43%)—when forced to choose between the two.

Still, 68% believe the problems are solvable without a complete system overhaul. While only 56% currently view the higher education system favorably, eight in 10 believe in the value of a four-year degree.

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