Gallup reports today that most
Americans understand the higher-ed crisis at least partially. Indeed, a new
survey shows that 59% “strongly agree” that colleges and universities
should “reduce tuition and fees.” While they’d be crazy not to think
this, it’s reassuring that a large percentage of the population recognizes that
higher-ed institutions are mostly to blame for skyrocketing costs.
Unfortunately, though, a plurality of respondents “strongly agree”
that “the federal government should provide more assistance.” As is
often the case, the American people don’t seem to understand that federal
programs designed to “solve” a given problem — in this case, the
rising cost of college — often end up exacerbating it.
However, Gallup’s report, which
it co-authored with the Lumina Foundation, also gives reason for hope. When
asked whether they agreed that “Online colleges and universities offer
high-quality education,” 11% of respondents strongly agreed, 22% agreed,
and 39% were neutral. This statistic might signal a growing acceptance of
alternatives to the traditional higher-ed model. Though Americans still prefer
brick-and-mortar institutions – indeed, larger percentages of respondents
agreed that “traditional colleges and universities offer high-quality
education” — they seem to recognize that they do not meet everyone’s needs. If
this indeed the case, this report might provide an opening for policymakers who
wish to wean America off its attachment to the fanciful notion of “college for
all.”
