Americans united on protecting science research in higher ed, worry about liberal bias and antisemitism, national survey reveals
The multi-university research team, led by Northeastern, surveyed 31,891 people across 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
Americans overwhelmingly oppose federal funding cuts to science and health research, according to new research led by Northeastern University.
The survey of more than 31,000 people in 50 states plus the District of Columbia showed support for more federal research investments. A majority of Americans across a wide array of demographics view universities as important to the nation and oppose federal funding cuts to higher education.
However, the survey also reveals that most Americans have concerns about cost, liberal bias, discrimination and free speech on campuses—irrespective of party lines in most cases.
In fact, the vast majority of Americans are concerned about racism, antisemitism, and islamophobia on college campuses, according to the survey.
“The good news for higher education is there’s a strong set of beliefs around value that higher education provides and this crosses various demographics,” says David Lazer, university distinguished professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern. “The more cautionary note is concerns about campus climate, presence of racism and antisemitism, around free speech and the cost of higher education. Those are all very present concerns.”
The survey comes as higher education faces challenges on multiple fronts, including a projected decline in high school students starting next year, frozen federal grants leading to settlements and court fights, and attempts to prevent the enrollment of international students.
Yet, the survey found that Americans see higher education as crucial across key areas.
Universities are important for a democratic society for 72% of Americans, and 76% to 79% value the local community, economic and health care contributions of universities.
Strong public support for higher ed
Americans see higher education as crucial across key domains
Technology
Recognize the importance of higher education for technology
Science
Think universities are somewhat or very important for science
Healthcare
See the value of universities for medical advancement
Economy
Recognize the importance of universities to the economy
Democracy
See universities as important for democratic society
Local Community Impact
Strong recognition of local contributions with modest partisan differences
Local Economic Contributions
Local Healthcare Contributions
Ninety percent think universities are “somewhat” or “very” important for science, while 91% recognize the importance of higher education for technology.
Eighty-three percent see the value of universities for medical advancement and health care and economic growth.
The survey also found overwhelming public opposition to federal funding cuts.
Meanwhile, across a range of issues, 57% to 62% of respondents expressed some willingness to contact Congress to oppose policies if asked to do so by a university to which they have a connection.
By a 4:1 ratio (64% opposed vs. 17% in support), the American public opposes federal cuts to science funding. In fact, 47% of respondents want more scientific research investment in 2025 compared to 2024.
The public opposes federal cuts to health research by a 5:1 ratio — with 70% opposed and 15% in support — while 57% want more medical research investment in 2025 compared to 2024.
The public also opposes federal cuts to education, in general, by a 4:1 ratio – with 66% opposed and 17% in support of reduced federal funding.
Research funding protection
Overwhelming public opposition to federal funding cuts
Federal Cuts to Science Funding
64% oppose vs. 17% support (4:1 ratio)
Federal Cuts to Health Research
70% oppose vs. 15% support (5:1 ratio)
Federal Cuts to Education
66% oppose vs. 17% support (4:1 ratio)
The majority support for higher education is also bipartisan.
While other surveys have shown that trust has declined and become more polarized over the last few decades, the recent survey shows universities are the fourth-most trusted major institution in the United States (25% trust them “a lot,” the researchers note), following hospitals/doctors, the military and scientists/researchers.
Across all Americans, 59% approve of U.S. universities, including 73% of Democrats, 52% of Republicans and 54% of independent voters.
Overall, 75% of Americans have “some” or “a lot” of trust in universities and colleges.
That being said, not all is well in the ivory towers.
The survey identifies five critical vulnerabilities for higher education: cost, discrimination on campus, campus free speech, liberal bias and transgender athletes.
Concerns about vulnerabilities
Universal concerns that transcend partisan boundaries
Cost of Higher Education
Most concerned: the young (93%), those with graduate degrees (94%), those earning $100k+ (91%), and Democrats (91%)
Discrimination on Campus
Concerns about racism, antisemitism, and islamophobia on college campuses
Racism
Antisemitism
Islamophobia
Campus Free Speech
Democrats somewhat more concerned than Republicans (89% vs. 80%)1
Liberal Bias
Republicans show higher concern: 84% overall (38% extremely concerned)
Transgender Athletes
Republicans: 84% concerned (52% extreme). Democrats: 67% concerned (25% extreme). Concern increases with age
“Majorities of respondents report at least some concern about each of these issues,” the researchers write. “Beyond their inherent challenges, several are also areas of polarization: while there is broad agreement that concern is warranted, perceptions of the problems and the preferred solutions often differ across parties.”
Cost
Eighty-seven percent of Americans have some concerns about tuition costs and student debt, with 42% reporting that they are “extremely concerned.” The demographics that are most concerned include 93% of the youngest cohort surveyed, 94% of those with graduate degrees, 91% of those who earn more than $100,000 and 91% of Democrats.
Antisemitism and discrimination on campus
Racism on campus concerns 86% of Americans, with 42% extremely concerned. This concern is held by 97% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans.
Eighty-four percent of Americans are concerned with antisemitism on campus, including 34% who are extremely concerned. Antisemitism is a concern for 88% of Democrats and 84% of Republicans.
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Islamophobia on college campuses also concerns 78% of Americans, 28% of whom say they are extremely concerned. This concern is held by 87% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans.
Liberal bias
Seventy-seven percent of Americans—across party lines—are concerned about liberal bias on campus, with 27% extremely concerned. The partisan breakdown shows Republican intensity on this issue — with 84% of Republicans concerned, including 38% who are extremely concerned.
Campus free speech
Eighty-four percent of Americans are concerned about free speech on campus, with 35% extremely concerned. Democrats are slightly more concerned than Republicans (89% vs. 80%), although researchers note that they “expect there are considerable political differences in the public understanding of which speech requires protection and how that protection should be implemented.”
“I think there have been longstanding articulated concerns of how liberal campuses are and whether conservatives have a forum to speak, and I think that is still the concern on the conservative side,” Lazer says. “On the liberal side, especially right now, there’s a lot of concern around penalties you might face if you articulate certain points of view.”
Transgender athletes
Overall, 74% of Americans were concerned about this issue, with 36% extremely concerned. There was a “substantial” partisan divide, however, researchers say. Among Republicans, 84% were concerned, with 52% extremely concerned; while among Democrats, 67% were concerned, including 25% who were extremely concerned. The concern also increases with age, according to the researchers.
Lazer says that, overall, the research finds higher education remains a highly trusted and valued institution in the country despite its challenges.
“There’s sort of a good news/ bad news scenario for higher education,” Lazer says. “But it’s, frankly, mostly good news in this fraught moment for higher education.”
The Higher Education Public Opinion survey is an effort by the American Higher Education Barometer, a multi-university consortium project involving Northeastern, Harvard, Rutgers and the University of Rochester. The survey was conducted between July 3 and August 1.
