A recent Fox News poll indicates a significant shift in attitudes toward higher education in the United States over the past two decades. In 2006, 65% of respondents believed that investing $100,000 in college tuition was preferable to entering the workforce immediately. Currently, that perspective has reversed, with 65% now advocating for investing the money instead of pursuing a college degree. Additionally, over 60% of voters feel that a college education is less important for success than it was a generation ago.
The poll reveals that 75% of voters now believe a college degree is not worth obtaining at any cost, compared to 46% who agreed with that sentiment two decades ago. This shift in opinion spans various demographic groups, including age, political affiliation, and educational background.
Despite the declining perception of the value of a college degree, a majority of voters express confidence in certain aspects of higher education. Approximately 72% believe universities provide high-quality education, while 63% feel they protect free speech. However, only 45% of respondents trust that higher education prioritizes students over profits.
Demographic differences emerge in confidence levels, with younger voters (54%) more likely to believe universities prioritize students compared to older voters (38%). Black and Hispanic voters (61% each) are also more confident than White voters (41%). Republicans generally express more skepticism about higher education compared to Democrats and independents.
The poll, conducted from May 15 to 18, 2026, involved 1,002 registered voters and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
