More than half of Americans are against making all public colleges in the country free, according to a new Quinnipiac University National Poll.
Out of the 1,044 voters surveyed nationwide, including 419 Democrats and 456 Republicans who participated in the poll, 52 percent of respondents voted in opposition of free college, while 45 percent supported the idea.
If the free public colleges were funded by a new tax on wealthy individuals, opposition to the idea rises even higher to 54 percent.
The survey also found that 57 percent of voters support the idea of forgiving up to $50,000 in student loans for individuals in households earning less than $250,000 a year, while 52 percent of voters oppose this loan forgiveness plan if it were paid for by a new tax on the wealthy.
“It’s almost a tossup, but if a vote were taken on free public college, the educated guess is that it would go down,” Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said.
For Democrats and Democratic leaners, when it comes to the leading candidate for the presidency, the survey found 38 percent of voters prefer former Vice President Joseph Biden, 12 percent prefer Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 11 percent prefer Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and 10 percent prefer South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
“The Democratic primary race suddenly gets real with a fast start by former Vice President Joe Biden and a very clear indication from voters that he is the only candidate who can send President Trump packing 18 months from now,” Malloy said.
Among Republicans and Republican leaners, 84 percent backed president Donald Trump for the GOP nomination, followed by 3 percent backing former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld and another 3 percent backing Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.
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