Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Given recent media attention and political narratives questioning the value of higher education, we survey young Americans about their attitudes towards college. We explore two dimensions of attitudes towards college – higher education as a private good and as a public good. We find most young people still believe most of their peers should go to college, and most want their children to go to college, although there are meaningful differences across demographic groups and different student experiences, with practical and political implications. We find evidence suggesting that exposure to higher education and providing students with adequate information during their own college search process may be meaningful predictors of young adults’ attitudes about college.
Source: Innovative Higher Education
Authors: Walter G. Ecton, C. M. Metcalfe
Institutions: University of Michigan, Florida State University
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W7164898947