Americans Losing Faith in Higher Ed [WATCH]

A new analysis presented by CNN’s senior data reporter Harry Enten reveals that a growing number of Americans share President Donald Trump’s concerns about the direction of higher education in the United States.

According to Enten, confidence in colleges and universities has declined significantly across party lines, with the steepest drop occurring among Republican voters.

During an appearance Thursday on CNN’s News Central with anchor Kate Bolduan,

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Enten highlighted recent polling data showing public discontent with the current state of higher education.

“That number has plummeted, plummeted as of last year, down to 36%,” Enten said, referring to the share of Americans who say they have high confidence in higher education.

“We’re talking about a 36-point drop among Republicans specifically.”

In 2015, 57% of Americans expressed high confidence in U.S. colleges and universities.

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By 2023, that figure had dropped to 36%, reflecting widespread skepticism about the institutions’ direction.

Enten noted that 68% of Americans now believe that higher education is “on the wrong track.”

The shift in public opinion comes as President Trump continues to speak out against what he describes as ideological bias and politicization within American colleges and universities.

Trump has criticized institutions such as Harvard University for promoting what he characterizes as radical left-wing viewpoints and suppressing dissenting opinions.

“It’s a question of whether or not people agree with Trump’s tactics,” Enten said during the CNN segment, “but they definitely agree with him on the idea that there is a problem with higher ed overall.”

A lot of Americans agree with Trump: higher ed needs a kick in the rear end. Those with high confidence in higher ed has collapsed: 57% in 2015 to 36% now. 68% (!) say higher ed is on the wrong track.

Also, a plurality of Americans & the GOP agree: colleges have a liberal bias. pic.twitter.com/JZtup3BoGV

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) May 29, 2025

Trump has previously outlined his position on higher education, pledging to curb what he views as “anti-American indoctrination” and protect viewpoint diversity on college campuses.

During recent remarks, he reiterated his commitment to restoring what he called “sanity and balance” to institutions of higher learning.

Critics of higher education institutions have pointed to recent controversies over speaker disinvitations, political demonstrations, and policy decisions that, they argue, limit freedom of expression and promote one-sided political ideologies.

Supporters of the president argue that the current academic climate has marginalized conservative voices and fostered an environment where students are encouraged to adopt anti-American and anti-Israel positions.

Trump has pledged to implement reforms that would link federal funding to schools’ adherence to free speech and academic neutrality standards.

While debate continues over how best to address the issue, polling data presented by Enten shows the concern is not confined to one political group.

Although Republican confidence in higher education has declined more dramatically, the issue is gaining broader public attention.

The discussion over the future of higher education is expected to remain a major political topic heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Trump and other national leaders have signaled plans to continue pushing for structural changes at universities, including oversight of curriculum standards and accountability for institutions that receive federal taxpayer support.

The data suggest that efforts to reform higher education may find traction with a public that increasingly views the current academic establishment as out of step with mainstream American values.

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