The majority of Republicans and Democrats agree that the system of higher education in the United States is going in the wrong direction, according to a new poll.
A Pew Research Center Survey has found that 61 percent of the polled think higher education is running off the track. Among these respondents, 73 percent were Republicans and 52 percent were Democrats.
“Among Americans who say the country’s higher education system is going in the wrong direction, 84% cite high tuition costs as a major reason why they think this is the case,” the poll results said.
“About two-thirds (65%) say students not getting the skills they need in the workplace is a major reason, while roughly half cite colleges and universities being too concerned about protecting students from views they might find offensive (54%) or professors bringing their political and social views into the classroom (50%).”
At the same time, 79 percent of Republicans and 17 percent of Democrats said professors were bringing their political and social views into the classroom, and it was impacting the system. A majority of respondents also blamed inadequate funding, affirmative action and students not being taught to think for themselves as reasons.