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Lumina/Gallup Poll on College Affordability

Data from the Lumina Foundation and Gallup shows that just 12 percent of U.S. adults believe four-year colleges do a good or excellent job staying affordable. This comes as many universities are struggling with their operating budgets and federal scrutiny over curricula, ideology, and funding.

Lumina/Gallup Poll on College Affordability

Part of the problem with college affordability has to do with the institution’s operating margin. Carnegie-Mellon University defines college operating margins as “the percentage of a college’s total revenue that remains as a surplus (profit) after paying for day-to-day operating expenses.”

S&P Global Ratings reported that the median “operating margins” of 286 rated private colleges dropped to negative 0.4 percent in fiscal year 2025. The S&P Global Ratings report notes that 145 public institutions kept a slim margin of 0.7 percent.

>> Find VA-approved schools with the College Recon School Finder tool.

Legislation Adds to the Problem

Congressional action has added more confusion for those trying to plan their college education. Recently proposed legislation includes setting aside $16 billion to cover a Pell Grant budget deficit and raising the maximum award by $50 to $7,445.

However, the same bill aims to eliminate subsidized federal student loans for undergraduate borrowers, shifting interest accrual directly onto students while they are still in school.

Doubts over college costs span political lines, even if partisan gaps remain. Just 14 percent of Democrats and 5 percent of Republicans rated the affordability of four-year college favorably. Community colleges earned far better marks, with 54 percent of respondents giving them high scores for affordability and 68 percent praising them for opening doors to all students.

College By the Numbers

Despite high prices, parental goals for their children to earn college degrees stay high:

• Postsecondary Pursuit: 74 percent of parents want high school graduates to keep studying right away.
• 4-Year Choice: 38 percent prefer four-year universities.
• 2-Year Choice: 19 percent pick two-year community colleges.
• Trade or Certificate: 17 percent favor career training or trade programs.

The public places blame, according to the Lumina/Gallup survey, for high tuition or the perception of it on schools and government leaders. 76 percent of surveyed adults named individual colleges as one of the top three parties responsible for affordability, followed by state governments at 73 percent and the federal government at 67 percent.

Broader scores on college quality brought mixed feedback. While 53 percent of adults agreed that four-year colleges advance knowledge, only 32 percent felt that higher education prepares graduates for jobs. Scores fell even lower when adults rated how campuses handle new tech tools like artificial intelligence or how well they protect diverse opinions.

>> Find VA-approved schools with the College Recon School Finder tool.