Growing partisan divide in views of higher education

Only half of American adults think colleges and universities are having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country these days. About four-in-ten (38%) say they are having a negative impact – up from 26% in 2012. The increase in negative views has come almost entirely from Republicans and independents who lean Republican. A broad look at public views of higher education explores these findings and also looks at attitudes about the college admissions process and free speech on college campuses. 

INTERACTIVE: Who shares your views on race?

We asked 6,637 U.S. adults about their views on current race relations, racial inequality and the tense history that led us here. We found that Americans are divided along racial lines in their views on the legacy of slavery, the best way to achieve diversity and the value they place on their own racial and ethnic identity. See how your answers to 11 questions from our survey compare with the rest of the nation. 

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