NEW YORK, N.Y. – With the election “season” well under way, education in general and student loans in particular continue to surface as major topics of discussion. It should come as no surprise that this topic looms on the agenda for many candidates, considering a majority of Americans (60%) believe the government should regulate college programs to help make sure that graduates can get jobs and repay college loans.
Over one third of Americans (36%) say they are currently paying or have paid student debt in the past, which is on par with 2013 counts (37%).
Among these debtors, 65% say they have delayed other spending/saving due to their student debt. Some of the things they’ve put off include:
- Saving towards retirement (39%);
- Buying or leasing a new car (30%);
- A “dream” vacation (30%);
- Buying a home (30%); and
- Among parents of children under 18, setting up a college fund for their children (31%).
Smaller percentages indicate they have delayed getting married (14%), having children (13%), or having a cosmetic procedure (5%).
Many of these deferments are on the rise when compared to just two years ago, including a 9 point increase in delaying saving for a child’s education, a 6 point jump in holding off on home ownership and a 4 point increase in putting off retirement savings.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll® of 2,273 U.S. adults surveyed online between July 15 and 20, 2015.
The majority of Americans feel the maximum amount of an individual’s salary that should go toward paying off student debt should be 10 percent or less (5 percent or less: 28%; 6-10 percent: 36%), and on average a maximum of roughly 16 percent is seen as the most that should be put toward loans.
So, is it worth it?
It’s worth noting, though, a large majority of debtors across all institution types say they are satisfied with the return on their investment. Satisfaction is highest among those who incurred student debt attending private, not-for-profit colleges (69%), followed by public colleges (64%), online colleges (61%), and private, for-profit colleges (58%).
Looking beyond just those who have incurred student debt, do Americans overall think college is worth it? Nearly two thirds of Americans (65%) believe a college education is worth the cost, and a nearly equal amount (63%) say the same of an advanced degree. Furthermore, an even larger majority of Americans agree both an advanced degree (77%) and an undergraduate degree (72%) make graduates competitive in the global economy.
- Those with degrees are more likely than those without to feel those degrees are worth the cost and make graduates competitive in the global economy.
What’s profit got to do with it?
Americans appear to look more favorably on those institutions not focused on their own bottom line. Nearly six in ten (59%) believe for-profit colleges don’t care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition, and overall, just over one third (36%) have a favorable opinion of private, for-profit institutions.
However, over six in ten (63%) look positively on public colleges and over half (56%) do the same for private, not-for-profit institutions.
- Matures are more likely than all younger generations to have positive sentiments towards private, not-for-profit colleges (71% vs. 59% Baby Boomers, 54% Gen Xers & 51% Millennials).
- Those with a college degree are more likely than those without to have a positive opinion of both public (82% post grad & 74% college grad vs. 60% some college & 55% high school or less) and private, not-for-profit colleges (75% post grad & 69% college grad vs. 53% some college & 48% high school or less).
Online, but off base?
Just one third (32%) of Americans give online colleges a positive rating overall, with one quarter (25%) giving them a negative one. They don’t paint all online programs with the same brush though – 58% say online programs with a physical campus do well in educating students. When looking at those without a physical campus, Americans are split almost evenly between the perceptions that these do an excellent or pretty good job of educating their students (38%) versus a fair or poor job (39%).
These less than stellar ratings should come as no surprise considering a majority of Americans (61%) believe online colleges don’t care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition.
TABLE 1a
HOW COLLEGE PROGRAMS DO IN EDUCATING STUDENTS
“We would now like to ask your opinion about higher education in the United States. How do you think each of these types of college programs (2 year or 4 year) do in educating their students?”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Excellent/Pretty good (NET) |
Excellent |
Pretty good |
Only fair/Poor (NET) |
Only fair |
Poor |
Not at all sure |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Academic programs at 4 year colleges |
72 |
25 |
47 |
13 |
11 |
2 |
14 |
|
Vocational, Technical or Career related programs at 2 year colleges |
70 |
21 |
50 |
13 |
11 |
2 |
16 |
|
Vocational, Technical or Career related programs at 4 year colleges |
69 |
23 |
46 |
12 |
10 |
2 |
19 |
|
Academic programs at 2 year colleges |
62 |
12 |
51 |
22 |
19 |
3 |
16 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 1b
HOW COLLEGE PROGRAMS DO IN EDUCATING STUDENTS
By Generation, Education & Gender
“We would now like to ask your opinion about higher education in the United States. How do you think each of these types of college programs (2 year or 4 year) do in educating their students?”
Summary of those saying “Excellent” or “Pretty good”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
2015 Total |
2013 Total |
Generation |
Education |
Gender |
|||||||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
H.S. or less |
Some college |
College grad |
Post grad |
Male |
Female |
|||
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Academic programs at 4 year colleges |
72 |
66 |
74 |
70 |
73 |
73 |
65 |
73 |
79 |
87 |
73 |
72 |
|
Vocational, Technical or Career related programs at 2 year colleges |
70 |
65 |
66 |
66 |
75 |
75 |
68 |
71 |
73 |
72 |
71 |
70 |
|
Vocational, Technical or Career related programs at 4 year colleges |
69 |
67 |
67 |
65 |
73 |
73 |
67 |
69 |
71 |
70 |
70 |
68 |
|
Academic programs at 2 year colleges |
62 |
57 |
59 |
59 |
68 |
63 |
57 |
68 |
66 |
62 |
61 |
64 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 2a
HOW ONLINE COLLEGE PROGRAMS DO IN EDUCATING STUDENTS
“And how well do you think online college or university programs do in educating their students?”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Excellent/Pretty good (NET) |
Excellent |
Pretty good |
Only fair/Poor (NET) |
Only fair |
Poor |
Not at all sure |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Online programs offered by colleges or universities which also have a physical campus |
58 |
14 |
44 |
21 |
17 |
4 |
21 |
|
Online programs offered by colleges or universities which are online only, with no physical campus |
38 |
8 |
30 |
39 |
29 |
10 |
23 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 2b
HOW ONLINE COLLEGE PROGRAMS DO IN EDUCATING STUDENTS
By Generation, Education & Gender
“We would now like to ask your opinion about higher education in the United States. How do you think each of these types of college programs (2 year or 4 year) do in educating their students?”
Summary of those saying “Excellent” or “Pretty good”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Total |
Generation |
Education |
Gender |
|||||||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
H.S. or less |
Some college |
College grad |
Post grad |
Male |
Female |
||
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Online programs offered by colleges or universities which also have a physical campus |
58 |
64 |
59 |
55 |
49 |
53 |
63 |
63 |
57 |
56 |
60 |
|
Online programs offered by colleges or universities which are online only, with no physical campus |
38 |
46 |
40 |
34 |
26 |
38 |
42 |
39 |
28 |
36 |
40 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 3a
VIEWS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
“Do you have a positive or a negative opinion of each of the following types of higher education institutions in the United States?”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Positive (NET) |
Very positive |
Somewhat positive |
Neither positive nor negative |
Negative (NET) |
Somewhat negative |
Very negative |
Don’t know |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Public colleges or universities (i.e., schools which receive local and state funding) |
63 |
25 |
38 |
19 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
9 |
|
Private, not-for-profit colleges or universities (i.e., schools which rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding) |
56 |
21 |
35 |
25 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
11 |
|
Private, for-profit colleges or universities (i.e. schools operated as a private business) |
36 |
12 |
24 |
30 |
22 |
14 |
8 |
13 |
|
Online colleges or universities |
32 |
10 |
22 |
31 |
25 |
18 |
7 |
12 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 3b
VIEWS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
By Year, Generation and Education
“Do you have a positive or a negative opinion of each of the following types of higher education institutions in the United States?”
Summary of those saying “very positive” or “somewhat positive”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
2015 |
2013 |
2011 |
Generation |
Education |
||||||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
H.S. or less |
Some college |
College grad |
Post grad |
||||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Public colleges or universities (i.e., schools which receive local and state funding) |
63 |
52 |
52 |
63 |
61 |
65 |
63 |
55 |
60 |
74 |
82 |
|
Private, not-for-profit colleges or universities (i.e., schools which rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding) |
56 |
47 |
48 |
51 |
54 |
59 |
71 |
48 |
53 |
69 |
75 |
|
Private, for-profit colleges or universities (i.e. schools operated as a private business) |
36 |
32 |
35 |
30 |
37 |
38 |
44 |
32 |
36 |
45 |
36 |
|
Online colleges or universities |
32 |
n/a |
n/a |
38 |
32 |
29 |
22 |
30 |
33 |
36 |
25 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
n/a – indicates the type of college was not tested in the given year
TABLE 4
MAXIMUM % OF INCOME TO PAY TOWARD STUDENT DEBT SHOULD BE…
By Year, Generation, Education & Gender
“Many college students take out loans to pay for their education, which they must repay after they graduate. After they graduate, what do you think should be the maximum percentage of one’s income should be that goes into repaying their college loans?”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
2015 Total |
2013 Total |
2011 Total |
Generation |
Education |
Gender |
|||||||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
H.S. or less |
Some college |
College grad |
Post grad |
Male |
Female |
||||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
5% or less |
28 |
25 |
23 |
28 |
28 |
30 |
25 |
29 |
30 |
23 |
27 |
24 |
32 |
|
6%-10% |
36 |
35 |
35 |
29 |
38 |
38 |
42 |
35 |
35 |
39 |
31 |
36 |
35 |
|
11%-15% |
9 |
9 |
12 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
6 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
|
16%-20% |
11 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
15 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
20 |
12 |
10 |
|
21%-30% |
6 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
|
31%-50% |
4 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
51% or more |
5 |
5 |
4 |
10 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
|
MEAN |
15.8 |
16.9 |
16.9 |
20.2 |
14.2 |
13.8 |
13.6 |
15.3 |
15.6 |
18.1 |
14.6 |
16.5 |
15.3 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
* indicates an incidence of <0.5%
TABLE 5a
AGREEMENT ON STATEMENTS ABOUT FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES AND OTHER EDUCATION ISSUES
“How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Agree (NET) |
Strongly agree |
Somewhat agree |
Disagree (NET) |
Somewhat disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Not at all sure |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
An advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, Doctorate, etc.) makes graduates competitive in the global economy |
77 |
38 |
38 |
12 |
9 |
3 |
12 |
|
An undergraduate degree (e.g., Bachelor’s, Associate’s) makes graduates competitive in the global economy |
72 |
25 |
47 |
16 |
13 |
4 |
12 |
|
A college education is worth the cost. |
65 |
28 |
36 |
26 |
19 |
7 |
10 |
|
An advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, etc.) is worth the cost. |
63 |
25 |
38 |
23 |
18 |
5 |
14 |
|
Online colleges/universities do not care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition. |
61 |
27 |
34 |
22 |
16 |
6 |
18 |
|
The government should regulate college programs to help make sure that graduates can get jobs and repay college loans. |
60 |
33 |
27 |
29 |
14 |
15 |
11 |
|
For-profit colleges/universities do not care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition. |
59 |
28 |
31 |
24 |
18 |
6 |
17 |
|
Public and not-for-profit colleges/universities do not care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition. |
43 |
16 |
27 |
40 |
29 |
11 |
17 |
|
A college education does not help people get a job. |
40 |
14 |
26 |
53 |
31 |
22 |
7 |
|
An advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, etc.) does not help people get a job. |
37 |
13 |
24 |
52 |
32 |
20 |
11 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 5b
AGREEMENT ON STATEMENTS ABOUT FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES AND OTHER EDUCATION ISSUES
By Year, Generation and Education
“How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?”
Summary of those saying “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Total 2015 |
Total 2013 |
Total 2011 |
Generation |
Education |
||||||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
H.S. or less |
Some college |
College grad |
Post grad |
||||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
An advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, Doctorate, etc.) makes graduates competitive in the global economy |
77 |
n/a |
n/a |
74 |
73 |
79 |
83 |
73 |
74 |
81 |
89 |
|
An undergraduate degree (e.g., Bachelor’s, Associate’s) makes graduates competitive in the global economy |
72 |
n/a |
n/a |
68 |
70 |
75 |
79 |
67 |
70 |
79 |
83 |
|
A college education is worth the cost. |
65 |
65 |
n/a |
62 |
66 |
65 |
65 |
60 |
62 |
71 |
79 |
|
An advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, etc.) is worth the cost. |
63 |
61 |
n/a |
63 |
61 |
64 |
69 |
60 |
60 |
68 |
77 |
|
Online colleges/universities do not care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition. |
61 |
n/a |
n/a |
58 |
61 |
60 |
68 |
54 |
63 |
69 |
67 |
|
The government should regulate college programs to help make sure that graduates can get jobs and repay college loans. |
60 |
55 |
51 |
70 |
62 |
53 |
45 |
61 |
62 |
57 |
52 |
|
For-profit colleges/universities do not care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition. |
59 |
60 |
57 |
61 |
63 |
54 |
61 |
53 |
60 |
68 |
65 |
|
Public and not-for-profit colleges/universities do not care how many of their students graduate, only how many enroll and pay tuition. |
43 |
44 |
42 |
44 |
45 |
41 |
43 |
40 |
46 |
48 |
41 |
|
A college education does not help people get a job. |
40 |
40 |
n/a |
47 |
42 |
35 |
35 |
41 |
46 |
40 |
24 |
|
An advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, etc.) does not help people get a job. |
37 |
38 |
n/a |
37 |
42 |
36 |
27 |
33 |
42 |
41 |
30 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Note: n/a indicates not asked in that year
TABLE 6
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH STUDENT DEBT
“Which of the following best describes you?”
Base: U.S. adults
|
|
Total 2015 |
Total 2013 |
Generation |
|||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
|||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Currently paying off student debt or have in the past |
36 |
37 |
47 |
46 |
27 |
9 |
|
I am currently paying off student debt |
18 |
16 |
37 |
18 |
5 |
– |
|
I am not paying off student debt now, but I have in the past |
18 |
21 |
10 |
28 |
22 |
9 |
|
I have never had to pay off student debt |
64 |
63 |
53 |
54 |
73 |
91 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
* indicates <0.5%
TABLE 7
DELAYED SPENDING DUE TO STUDENT DEBT
“Which of the following things, if any, have you had/did you ever have to delay or put off because of your student debt?”
Base: Currently paying of student debt or have in the past
|
|
2015 Total |
2013 Total |
|
% |
% |
|
|
Have delayed any (NET) |
65 |
64 |
|
Saving towards my retirement |
39 |
35 |
|
Buying or leasing a new car |
30 |
29 |
|
A “dream” vacation (e.g., tropical, European, etc.) |
30 |
29 |
|
Buying a home |
30 |
24 |
|
A college fund for my child(ren) |
^31 |
^22 |
|
Getting married |
14 |
n/a |
|
Having children |
13 |
n/a |
|
A cosmetic procedure (e.g., rhinoplasty, hair transplantation, breast augmentation, etc.) |
5 |
7 |
|
Other |
13 |
14 |
|
None of these |
35 |
36 |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
^Among parents of children under 18
Note: n/a indicates not asked in that year
TABLE 8
TYPE OF STUDENT DEBT
“Thinking more specifically about student debt you’re currently paying off/you’ve paid off in the past, for which of these types of programs have you paid off or are you paying off student debt? Please select all that apply.”
Base: Currently paying of student debt or have in the past
|
|
Total |
Generation |
|||
|
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
|
||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
Public colleges or universities (i.e., schools which receive local and state funding) |
53 |
50 |
60 |
48 |
|
|
Private, not-for-profit colleges or universities (i.e., schools which rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding) |
23 |
25 |
20 |
21 |
|
|
Private, for-profit colleges or universities (i.e., schools operated as a private business) |
20 |
22 |
14 |
24 |
|
|
Online colleges or universities |
15 |
25 |
11 |
8 |
|
|
Other |
9 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
* indicates <0.5%
TABLE 9
SATISFACTION WITH ROI FROM PUBLIC COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEBT
“Thinking about the student debt you incurred to pay for classes through a public college or university, how satisfied are you with the return on that investment?”
Base: Currently Paying Off Student Debt Or Did In The Past For Public Colleges Or Universities
|
|
Total |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
Satisfied (NET) |
64 |
|
|
Very satisfied |
30 |
|
|
Somewhat satisfied |
34 |
|
|
Not satisfied (NET) |
31 |
|
|
Not very satisfied |
16 |
|
|
Not at all satisfied |
15 |
|
|
Not at all sure |
6 |
|
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 10
SATISFACTION WITH ROI FROM PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEBT
“Thinking about the student debt you incurred to pay for classes through a private, not-for-profit college or university, how satisfied are you with the return on that investment?”
Base: Currently Paying Off Student Debt Or Did In The Past For Private, Not-For-Profit Colleges Or Universities
|
|
Total |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
Satisfied (NET) |
69 |
|
|
Very satisfied |
38 |
|
|
Somewhat satisfied |
31 |
|
|
Not satisfied (NET) |
27 |
|
|
Not very satisfied |
18 |
|
|
Not at all satisfied |
9 |
|
|
Not at all sure |
4 |
|
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 11
SATISFACTION WITH ROI FROM PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEBT
“Thinking about the student debt you incurred to pay for classes through a private, for-profit college or university, how satisfied are you with the return on that investment?”
Base: Currently Paying Off Student Debt Or Did In The Past For Private, For-Profit Colleges Or Universities
|
|
Total |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
Satisfied (NET) |
58 |
|
|
Very satisfied |
29 |
|
|
Somewhat satisfied |
29 |
|
|
Not satisfied (NET) |
41 |
|
|
Not very satisfied |
13 |
|
|
Not at all satisfied |
28 |
|
|
Not at all sure |
1 |
|
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 12
SATISFACTION WITH ROI FROM ONLINE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEBT
“Thinking about the student debt you incurred to pay for classes through an online college or university, how satisfied are you with the return on that investment?”
Base: Currently Paying Off Student Debt Or Did In The Past For Online Colleges Or Universities
|
|
Total |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
Satisfied (NET) |
61 |
|
|
Very satisfied |
37 |
|
|
Somewhat satisfied |
23 |
|
|
Not satisfied (NET) |
39 |
|
|
Not very satisfied |
17 |
|
|
Not at all satisfied |
23 |
|
|
Not at all sure |
– |
|
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online, in English, within the United States between July 15 and 20, 2015 among 2,273 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, The Harris Poll avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in our panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of The Harris Poll.
Product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
The Harris Poll® #63, October 14, 2015
By Allyssa Birth, Senior Research Analyst, The Harris Poll
