A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds that a majority of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (58 percent) now think that colleges and universities are having a negative impact on the United States. That’s up from 45 percent last year.
For comparison, most Democrats and Democratic leaners (72 percent) think that institutions of higher learning are having a positive effect on the country, which is consistent with poll results from recent years.
Republican positions on colleges and universities changed drastically over a relatively short period.
Less than two years ago, in September 2015, 54 percent of Republicans thought colleges and universities were having a positive impact on the U.S. Only 37 percent thought otherwise. Last year, Republicans were split on the impact of these schools (43 percent positive versus 45 percent negative).
This is the first time a majority of Republicans expressed disapproval of higher education since the Pew Research Center started asking this question in 2010.
Republicans increasingly think colleges are harming the U.S.
For comparison, most Democrats and Democratic leaners (72 percent) think that institutions of higher learning are having a positive effect on the country, which is consistent with poll results from recent years.
Republican positions on colleges and universities changed drastically over a relatively short period.
Less than two years ago, in September 2015, 54 percent of Republicans thought colleges and universities were having a positive impact on the U.S. Only 37 percent thought otherwise. Last year, Republicans were split on the impact of these schools (43 percent positive versus 45 percent negative).
This is the first time a majority of Republicans expressed disapproval of higher education since the Pew Research Center started asking this question in 2010.
Republicans increasingly think colleges are harming the U.S.
