In today’s Martin Center article, Ashlynn Warta reports on a recent poll showing that, despite mountains of evidence that for many students college delivers little value, large percentages of Americans still say it’s crucial for success in life.
The poll was done by the decidedly lefty organization New America, so the results may skew in the direction of their supporters — mostly college-educated “progressives.” Still, the numbers are disappointing, showing that lots of Americans still buy the notion that if you go to college, you will get a good job and if you don’t, you won’t.
She writes, “The seventh annual survey found that “at least four in five Americans say that it is easier to find a well-paying, stable career if individuals receive any type of education beyond high school.” Thirty percent of adults polled answered that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education needed to be financially stable.”
The plain truth is that a BA degree is neither necessary nor sufficient for financial stability, but lots of Americans think otherwise.
Worse yet are the numbers when asked about paying for college: “When asking if funding should be the responsibility of the government or the student, the survey found that 6 in 10 Americans believe that the government should be more responsible for funding higher education. When disaggregated along party lines, the findings were as one might expect: A majority of Democrats (78 percent) favor government funding, and a majority of Republicans (64 percent) favor student funding.”
Depressing, but not surprising. Politicians who want to get votes by promising “free college” will find a fertile field.