New Poll Reveals How Americans Feel About College

Education policy has been a hot-button issue in recent years, with debates over student loans, college affordability, and the federal government’s role in funding and regulating education. A recent poll conducted by The College Investor sheds light on how Americans feel about these issues in 2025.

With political discussions heating up over the future of the Department of Education, public funding for K-12 and higher education, and whether student loans should be privatized, the poll results reveal a divided but telling outlook on education in 2025.

Is College Still Worth It?

The question of whether college is worth it really depends on how much you spend. The public dialogue about the value of college has been shifting in the last few years, as too many graduates have spent too much, and are failing to realize an economic return on that investment.

With that in mind, our survey asked Americans whether they think a four-year degree in 2025 is still worth the cost. The responses reflect growing skepticism about the return on investment:

As you can see, only 14% of Americans think that college provides a positive return on investment.

While most Americans think college has a breakeven ROI, 36% think it has a negative financial return.

With tuition costs rising and student debt continuing to burden graduates, these responses suggest that many Americans no longer see college as the automatic path to financial success that it once was. Instead, people are more cautious about whether the cost justifies the potential earnings boost.

Should The Department of Education Be Eliminated?

One of the most politically charged questions asked in the survey was whether the Department of Education should be eliminated.

Our survey found that 27% of Americans think the Department of Education should be eliminated. 56% of those surveyed were against eliminating the Department. The rest were neutral.

While the idea of dismantling the agency has been discussed for years—most recently as part of former President Trump’s policy proposals—the data suggests a clear majority believe the department should remain in place. 

Should The Government Continue Offering Student Loans?

One of the most debated topics in higher education is whether student loans should be handled by the government or left entirely to private lenders.

Despite the rhetoric around the Department of Education and the student loan debt crisis, roughly two-thirds of Americans still support the government offering student loans.

This suggests that while there is frustration with the student loan system, many see federal support as necessary to ensure access to higher education.

Public Support For Education Funding Remains High

The poll also gauged public support for education funding at both the K-12 and college levels.

A clear majority of Americans support public K-12 education, with only 7% of those surveyed against it. However, higher education is a more mixed story:

While Americans are largely in favor of public investment in K-12 education, support for higher education funding is more divided. However, nearly half still believe the government should play a role in making college more affordable.

What These Findings Mean For The Future

The results of this poll provide valuable insight into how Americans view education policy today. The overwhelming support for student loan programs and public K-12 funding suggests that major rollbacks in federal education programs would likely be unpopular. Meanwhile, skepticism about the value of a four-year degree highlights concerns about affordability and student debt.

As policymakers debate changes to education funding, these perspectives will play a significant role in shaping the future of federal and state education programs.

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Methodology

The College Investor commissioned Pollfish to conduct an online survey of 600 Americans. The poll group was made up of voters who self-identified as 35% Democrat, 32% Republican, and 32% Independent. The survey was fielded February 6, 2025.