Most Americans Oppose Expanding Washington’s Role in Higher Education

A new Quinnipiac University poll, shared with The Chronicle of Higher Education, finds most Americans oppose the Trump Administration’s push to expand federal oversight of colleges and universities. Only one-in-four respondents support giving the federal government more control over how campuses operate.

By the numbers:

• 75% of Democrats and nearly 40% of Republicans oppose more federal control.
• 60%+ say colleges shouldn’t adopt the administration’s “compact” tying funding to specific policy changes.
• The only well-liked idea: freezing tuition in exchange for more federal funding, but 70% still say protecting financial aid for low- and middle-income students is more important.
• A separate survey found 70% of Americans want the federal government out of decisions on admissions, hiring, and curriculum.

The big picture:
Public sentiment shows a clear preference for institutional autonomy and resistance to politicizing higher education. Americans support holistic admissions and value colleges’ ability to make decisions free from government interference.

The findings echo NAICU’s focus to protect the independence of private, nonprofit institutions, and ensure that all students have access to higher education.

For more information, please contact:
Dorian Wanzer