With regard to the way higher education helps society and individuals, the survey found that about 83% of respondents thought it contributed to scientific advances, while about three quarters believe it contributes to a graduate’s personal wealth and success or personal enrichment – or to national prosperity.
The data follows numerous public comments, particularly from conservative groups, questioning the value of higher education broadly, with administrators like Drew Faust, former president of Harvard, noting that skepticism may be the industry’s greatest challenge.
