Confidence in higher education hits new low: Gallup poll – Campus Reform

Report on Public Perception of Higher Education and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Declining Confidence in Higher Education: A Challenge to SDG 4 (Quality Education)

Recent polling data indicates a significant erosion of public trust in the value of higher education, posing a direct challenge to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). The perception of tertiary education as essential for success is fading rapidly.

• The percentage of Americans viewing college as “very important” has fallen to a new low of 35%.
• This represents a sharp decline from 53% in 2019 and 75% in 2010.
• Conversely, the proportion viewing college as “not too important” has risen from 4% in 2010 to nearly 25%.

This trend suggests a growing disconnect between the public’s assessment of tertiary education and SDG 4’s objective to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Socio-Political Divides and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The decline in confidence is not uniform, revealing significant disparities across demographic and political lines that relate to the aims of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The erosion of trust is observed across all age groups.

• Political Affiliation: Confidence is substantially higher among Democrats (49% rate college as “very important”) than among Republicans (20%).
• Educational Attainment: Among college graduates themselves, only 40% now rate a degree as “very important.”
• Non-Graduates: This group is evenly split, with 31% considering college “very important” and 32% viewing it as not important.

These divisions highlight potential inequalities in the perceived opportunity and outcomes of higher education, a core concern of SDG 10, which seeks to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.

Identified Barriers and their Impact on SDG 4 and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Several factors contribute to this shifting perception, directly impacting progress towards SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

1. Rising Tuition Costs: The financial burden of higher education creates a significant barrier, undermining SDG Target 4.3 concerning affordable and equitable access to tertiary education.
2. Relevance to the Job Market: Growing doubts about the alignment of curricula with the needs of a changing economy challenge SDG Target 4.4, which focuses on providing relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
3. Perceived Political Bias: Concerns about the campus environment can erode public trust in educational institutions, which are foundational to achieving sustainable development.

These barriers not only hinder access to quality education but also call into question higher education’s role as a primary driver for sustainable economic growth and decent work for all, as outlined in SDG 8.

Future Outlook and Continued Aspirations

Despite the overall decline in confidence, a significant portion of the population continues to value higher education, indicating that its foundational importance is still recognized.

• A majority of parents still express a desire for their children to attend college after high school.
• Many individuals who do not hold a degree still believe that obtaining one holds value.

This persistent aspiration suggests an opportunity for reform. To restore public trust, higher education institutions must address these concerns and better align their models with the principles of affordability, equity, and relevance as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article’s entire focus is on the public’s perception of the value, importance, and quality of tertiary education (college). It discusses declining trust in higher education as a pathway to success.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects the value of a college education to its relevance in a “changing job market” and its historical role as a “stepping stone to success.” This links the quality of education directly to employment outcomes and economic opportunities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The mention of “rising tuition costs” points to issues of affordability and equitable access to higher education. High costs can create barriers for individuals from lower-income backgrounds, thus exacerbating inequalities in educational and subsequent economic opportunities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The article’s discussion of “rising tuition costs” directly relates to the “affordable” aspect of this target. The declining public trust, with only 35% of Americans calling college “very important,” questions the perceived “quality” of this education.
  • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills… for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article highlights concerns about the “relevance of college in a changing job market,” which aligns directly with this target’s focus on providing skills for employment.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. While the target year has passed, the principle remains relevant. The questioning of college’s value implies a concern that higher education may not be effectively preparing youth for the workforce, potentially impacting the rate of young people who are employed or in further training.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome… The issue of “rising tuition costs” mentioned in the article is a significant barrier to equal opportunity in higher education, potentially leading to inequalities of outcome for those who cannot afford it.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 4 (Targets 4.3 & 4.4)

  • Public perception of the importance of college: The article provides specific data from a Gallup poll showing that only 35% of Americans view college as “very important,” a sharp decline from 75% in 2010. This quantitative data serves as a direct indicator of the perceived quality and value of higher education.
  • Public concern over the relevance of college for the job market: The article mentions this as a key reason for the decline in trust. This qualitative indicator measures the perceived alignment between educational curricula and the skills needed for employment.
  • Public concern over rising tuition costs: Mentioned as a primary driver of declining trust, this serves as a qualitative indicator of the lack of affordability in higher education, relevant to Target 4.3.

• Indicator for SDG 10 (Target 10.3)

  • Affordability of higher education: The article’s reference to “rising tuition costs” acts as an indicator of a growing barrier to equal access. An increase in this barrier suggests a negative trend for ensuring equal opportunity in education.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: campusreform.org